After saving 3 match points, the French player Mathilde Johansson reached the semifinals by defeating Maryna Zanevska (UKR). The other qualifiers are Kiki Bertens (NED), Sharon Fichman (CAN), and Timea Bacsinszky (SUI).
In the Doha tournament qualifiers last February, Mathilde JOHANSSON had several match points against Maryna ZANEVSKA before ultimately losing 7-6(6) 6-7(8) 3-6. A defeat that plunged her into a period of doubt.
The strong desire for revenge partly explains the nervousness shown by the French player on the court this Friday. However, at the key moments, the native of Gothenburg managed to keep her composure, saving no less than 3 match points at 5-4 in the 3rd set. She finally prevailed 6-4 4-6 7-5, ending the adventure for the Ukrainian, the surprise finalist of the 2013 edition.
In other matches, Kiki BERTENS (NED), as dominant as ever, clearly took the upper hand over the British Heather WATSON 6-3 6-1. The powerful Dutch player has not lost a set since the start of the tournament and has conceded only 10 games to her opponents. Sharon FICHMAN (CAN) was equally quick in defeating the Austrian Tamira PASZEK (6-2 6-0) and also reached the semifinals.
Due to intense back pain that led her to call the physio 3 times, Sachia VICKERY (USA) was forced to retire while she was trailing 6-0 4-1 against the Swiss Timea BACSINSKY, the winner of the Open in 2007 when the prize money was only $75,000.
The two singles semifinals are scheduled for this Saturday. Kiki BERTENS (NED) will first face Sharon FICHMAN (CAN) at 14:00, then Mathilde JOHANSSON will take on the Swiss Timea BACSINSZKY, not before 16:30.
