Dubai: Elina Svitolina was a step away from becoming only the third woman to successfully defend her title when she brushed aside sixth seed Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-3 in the second semi-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Women’s Open late on Friday.
The top seed will now meet 20-year-old Daria Kasatkina after the Russian had fought off a one-set deficit to get past favoured Garbine Muguruza in three sets in the first semi-final earlier in the day.
Only Justine Henin and Venus Williams have successfully defended their titles in Dubai since the event was first held in 2001. And on Friday, Svitolina – who surprisingly went on to win the French Open last year – went to put it past Kerber, the Australian Open and US Open champion in 2016.
After an early exchange of breaks, both players remained on serve till defending champion Svitolina rode on six double faults from her German opponent to secure a second break and hold to go 4-2 ahead and then take the set 6-3 in 44 minutes.
The second set too took a similar path with a double fault coming to Svitolina’s rescue at a crucial juncture for the Ukrainian to nose ahead 4-2 and finally serve out set and match and line-up a mouth-watering final against Kasatkina on Saturday.
“This is such a pleasing moment for me. It was tough to win against her [Kerber], but I am glad that I could come out of those tough moments and be in the final once again,” Svitolina said after an hour and 25 minutes on centre court.
“It’s the final and anything can happen. I have watched Daria play and it is surely going to be a tough match tomorrow. I am looking forward to it,” she added.
Earlier in the day, Kasatkina battled her way past the favoured Muguruza 3-6, 7-6 (11), 6-1 after saving three match points and book her spot in only the third final of her career.
Playing before a modest holiday crowd at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Kasatkina remained unnerved and calm despite dropping the first set and being a break down to wade her way through for a memorable win. Trying to match the 2008 feat of Elena Dementieva and become only the second Russian to win the Dubai Open, Kasatkina had saved two match points during Wednesday’s late night victory over seventh-seeded wild card Johanna Konta.
Having lost to Caroline Wozniacki in the first round on debut last year, Kasatkina is guaranteed to reach a career-high No.22 ranking on Monday, and will break in the top-20 for the first time if she goes on to win the title on Saturday evening.
The two had met in the semi-finals of the Brisbane International last year, and the Russian had held one match point during her loss to Muguruza. “I have no idea how I do it (save match points). I don’t really know,” Kasatkina told the spectators.
“Things are pretty intense out there and the best thing to do is just don’t think about anything but enjoy playing each and every shot. Now it’s the final and I will just come out here and give it everything I’ve got,” she added.
RESULTS
Singles semi-finals
Daria Kasatkina bt Garbine Muguruza 3-6, 7-6 (11), 6-1
Elina Svitolina bt Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-3
