Makarova moves on against Halep in DC
WASHINGTON DC, USA - No.7 seed Ekaterina Makarova booked the first spot into the Citi Open semifinals after Simona Halep found herself having to retire early in the third set.
A day ago, Halep had to mount a comeback after dropping the first set to an in inspired Mariana Duque-Mariño, who hit one of the best shots of the year against Halep in her 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 defeat.
But against Makarova on Friday, Halep couldn’t find enough left in the tank after dropping the second set to Makarova, retiring at 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 citing heat illness and sending the Russian into the semifinals.
The World No.2 took a wildcard into the Citi Open to start her North American hardcourt season early - a move that would boost her hopes of becoming the WTA World No.1. Halep couldn’t overtake current No.1 Karolina Pliskova this week, but a run to the final here would have put the top ranking in play next week at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
The Romanian was bossing the first set, building up a 4-0 lead before running into the first signs of resistance from her opponent. A loose service game and double fault gave Makarova a break back at 4-2, but Halep stayed in control to break straight back and calmly serve out the opening set.
After trading breaks to start the second, Makarova refused to fade and hung in the rallies as Halep patiently weathered the assault. But as Halep continued to slow down and play increasingly more sluggishly in the balmy heat, Makarova surged ahead to win four of the next five points and send them into a decider, where the Russian started with a break.
But during the changeover, Halep called down the tournament doctor and, after receiving treatment, called time on the match citing heat illness.
Makarova moved on into her first semifinal of 2017, where she awaits the winner between Sabine Lisicki and No.5 seed Oceane Dodin.
Source: http://www.wtatennis.com/news/ekaterina-makarova-defeats-simona-halep-washington-dc-citi-open
A day ago, Halep had to mount a comeback after dropping the first set to an in inspired Mariana Duque-Mariño, who hit one of the best shots of the year against Halep in her 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 defeat.
 |
No.7
seed Ekaterina Makarova booked the first spot into the Citi Open
semifinals after Simona Halep found herself having to retire in the
third set.
|
The World No.2 took a wildcard into the Citi Open to start her North American hardcourt season early - a move that would boost her hopes of becoming the WTA World No.1. Halep couldn’t overtake current No.1 Karolina Pliskova this week, but a run to the final here would have put the top ranking in play next week at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
The Romanian was bossing the first set, building up a 4-0 lead before running into the first signs of resistance from her opponent. A loose service game and double fault gave Makarova a break back at 4-2, but Halep stayed in control to break straight back and calmly serve out the opening set.
After trading breaks to start the second, Makarova refused to fade and hung in the rallies as Halep patiently weathered the assault. But as Halep continued to slow down and play increasingly more sluggishly in the balmy heat, Makarova surged ahead to win four of the next five points and send them into a decider, where the Russian started with a break.
But during the changeover, Halep called down the tournament doctor and, after receiving treatment, called time on the match citing heat illness.
Makarova moved on into her first semifinal of 2017, where she awaits the winner between Sabine Lisicki and No.5 seed Oceane Dodin.
Source: http://www.wtatennis.com/news/ekaterina-makarova-defeats-simona-halep-washington-dc-citi-open
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