WTA TENNIS KVITOVA AND MUGURUZA SET TO SHINE IN BIRMINGHAM SEMIS

Written by: Staff on 23rd June 2017

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

WTA TENNIS KVITOVA AND MUGURUZA SET TO SHINE IN BIRMINGHAM SEMIS

epa05995129 Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in action against Julia Boserup of the USA during their women?s 1st round single match during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 28 May 2017. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON |

Kvitova and Muguruza set to shine in Birmingham semis

Grand Slam champions Petra Kvitova and Garbine Muguruza are set to light up successive semi-finals at the Aegon Classic Birmingham on Saturday.

A handful of tickets are still available on the day to watch two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova take on her friend and Czech Fed Cup team-mate Lucie Safarova in the opening match on the Ann Jones Centre Court.

Playing only her second tournament following hand surgery, Kvitova earned her semi-final victory with 64 76(5) win over Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic in what was a packed Friday at the Edgbaston Priory Club. Safarova had earlier scored one of the grittiest wins of her career to edge out Daria Gavrilova (AUS) 67(4) 63 76(5) in over three hours.

“We practice a lot together. We know each other well from the Fed Cup” said Kvitova of Safarova. “She’s playing well on the grass. I just think that we know each other well, on the court as well. And sometimes the score looks a bit easier, but it’s not always like that and it’s about a few points in the set. That’s how I think it will be tomorrow as well.”

2016 Roland Garros champion Muguruza progressed to the last four courtesy of a retirement when Coco Vandeweghe became hampered by a left foot injury. Muguruza, from Spain, is seeded sixth in Birmingham and is now the highest ranked player in the draw. She takes on 21-year-old Australian Ashleigh Barty in the last four in what will be Barty’s first WTA Premier semi-final. Murguruza said: “I feel that I’m doing something good because I’m winning and I’m keeping alive in the draw. So I’m happy because I came here early to prepare, and I trained, I put hours (in) there. So I’m happy that what our team thought was going to be good for the tournament is working. So, so far we are proud that it’s working.”

AEGON CLASSIC BIRMINGHAM – BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND

$885,040

JUNE 19 – 25, 2017

RESULTS – JUNE 23, 2017

Women’s

Singles – Quarterfinals

[7] [WC] P. Kvitova (CZE) d [5] K. Mladenovic (FRA) 64 76(5)

[6] G. Muguruza (ESP) d C. Vandeweghe (USA) 46 64 00 Retired

L. Safarova (CZE) d [9] D. Gavrilova (AUS) 67(4) 63 76(5)

A. Barty (AUS) d [Q] C. Giorgi (ITA) 52 Retired

Women’s

Doubles – Quarterfinals