(Charleston) Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur will face Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in the final of the Charleston Open on Sunday.
Posted yesterday at 8:42 p.m.
On Saturday, fourth-seeded Jabeur continued her winning streak in Charleston by beating American Amanda Anisimova in three sets of 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the semi-final round.
This gain allows her to join the Olympic champion in title, Bencic, in the final.
In her own semifinal, the tenth seed defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.
For Jabeur, it was another good day on clay in Charleston, having reached the semi-final of the tournament last year in addition to making the final of another event held at the same complex a few weeks later.
On Sunday, she will have another chance to win a first title in Charleston, which would be her second career title on the WTA Tour.
Jabeur had dominated her first three matches of the tournament without losing a set, but Anisimova, 15and seeded, ended that streak. The 20-year-old took advantage of mistakes by Jabeur to rob her of the first set.
PHOTO: MIC SMITH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ons Jabeur
In the second, Jabeur was dominant to tie the game. Then, in the final round, Anisimova quickly offered herself a 3-1 cushion before seeing the Tunisian dip into her reserves to win six games in a row and win the match.
Jabeur and Bencic have faced each other only once on the circuit. The Swiss had the upper hand last year on clay in Madrid when Jabeur had to give up in the second set.
“I think it will be an interesting match, commented Jabeur. She plays much the same style [qu’Anisimova], she hits hard. So, I have to say that I had a preparation with the three races today and hopefully I can have a good start tomorrow. »
Bencic went into the game with a 4-1 lead before seeing Alexandrova win three games in a row to tie the game. It was then that Bencic relied on her serve and powerful downfield shots to wrap up the set.
In the second set, Bencic won the last three games to end the game. She finished it off with her fifth ace to reach her 14and career final on the WTA Tour. She will be looking for a sixth title on Sunday.
Thinking about the importance of tomorrow’s game, Bencic said he felt comfortable and confident. She planned to eat a good meal and go to bed.
“I think it won’t be worse than on the eve of the Olympic final, she relativized. That night, I had not slept. »