TENNIS WTA EASTBOURNE – Caroline Wozniacki came back from a set down to defeat Camila Giorgi in the most spectacular and tense match of the day at the Aegon International of Eastbourne, while Madison Keys and Angelique Kerber left little to their opponents. From Eastbourne, Giulio Gasparin
Starting from Wozniacki’s match, the former world number one had top come up with probably some of the best tennis she has played over the past few seasons to beat a very good Giorgi on centre court.
The biggest moment of drama was surely during the tiebreak of the first set, when first the Dane had to complain to the umpire for a horrible mistake she had done with a call, but then the umpire got it wrong once more as Giorgi, in anger for a double fault on a set point for her, smacked a ball into the crowd hitting an old lady.
The Italian did not even apologise for the misdeed, but astonishingly the umpire gave her only a warning, when in the same situation several players had been disqualified.
The slayer of Victoria Azarenka managed to close the first, but Wozniacki was not there to give up.
Both player showed a great performance, especially off the serve, but it was the former world number one that impressed the most, hitting six aces and constantly scoring over 110mph with the first serve.
In the seventh game an old man fainted in the stands and the game was suspended on 4-3 for the Italian for about 15 minutes.
When their returned on court, Wozniacki had to serve first and was immediately given a big test, having to face two break points that would have sent the Italian serving for the match.
The Dane cleared them with two big serves and hold.
Strong of the boost of confidence given by this event, she immediately looked more aggressive and with a stunning lob-stop volley combination, she got the chance to break Giorgi’s serve.
She made it and with another big service game, she closed the second set 6-4.
In the third set, the Italian started immediately well, but after wasting two more break points in the second game, it was all about the eighth seed.
Wozniacki took full control of the match and thanks to an evidently mentally tired Giorgi, she fast closed the set and so the match 6-7 (7) 6-4 6-2.
The Dane will face Kerber for a place in the final, as the German destroyed Ekaterina Makarova 6-2 6-1.
The fifth seed, who survived two match points in the earlier round against Alizè Cornet, played a superb match, especially with her forehand down the line, to take revenge of the match lost to the Russian only 12 months ago on the same event.
In a similar fashion, Keys left only three games to her friend and compatriot Lauren Davis, who looked visibly tired after starting her run from the qualies.
Nonetheless, the 19 year old looked impressive and she is possibly the favourite to reach the final in her match against Heather Watson.
The Brit needed no match to get through as Petra Kvitova was forced to pull out due to a thigh injury, something that clearly disappointed the crowd ready to cheer for their local idol.
