It is semifinal day and a spot in the Hobart International 2017 final is up for grabs…
(Q) Elise Mertens v (Q) Jana Fett
Centre Court, not before 1pm
Head-to-head: First meeting
The first semifinal of the day pits two qualifiers against each other. These two young talents enter the match in new territory, having never reached this stage of a WTA tournament before. Fett, the 20-year-old from Croatia, is competing in her first WTA main draw, while her 21-year-old Belgian opponent is in her fourth. Both players withdrew from Australian Open qualifying to continue in the tournament and will be determined to take the opportunity to advance to their first tour-level final.
Mertens’ road to semifinal…
Qualifying round one – def. (5) Nao Hibino (JPN) 6-3 6-4
Qualifying round two – def. Dalma Galfi (HUN) 6-1 6-1
Qualifying final round – def. Sachia Vickery (USA) 6-4 6-2
Main draw round one – def. (7) Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 6-1 6-2
Main draw round two – def. (LL) Sachia Vickery (USA) 0-1 ret.
Main draw quarterfinal – def. (1) Kiki Bertens (NED) 6-2 7-5
Mertens says: “She has good strokes, she’s a good player. I hope it is going to be a fun match.”
Key stat: Mertens has beaten three top-1oo opponents this week, including top seed and world No.22 Kiki Bertens in the quarterfinal. Entering the tournament she had two top-100 wins.
Fett’s road to semifinal…
Qualifying round one – def. Tereza Smitkova (CZE) 6-0 6-1
Qualifying round one – def. Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 6-3 6-3
Qualifying round one – def. Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) 6-4 2-6 6-4
Main draw round one – def. (WC) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 6-3 6-2
Main draw round two – def. (WC) Lizette Cabrera (AUS) 6-1 6-3
Main draw quarterfinal – def. (LL) Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) 6-1 6-4
Fett says: “Elise is a great player. I’ve never played her but I think I have chances. It will be a tough match but I’m looking forward to it.”
Key stat: Fett enjoys playing in Australia. She reached the Australian Open girls’ singles final in 2014 and seven of her past 13 tournaments have been here, so she knows the conditions well.