Big guns defy odds to move on
Berdych and Simon impress in Bangkok as Kvitova and Kerber set up Tokyo clash
BANGKOK: World number six Tomas Berdych battled his way into the semi-finals of the Thailand Open yesterday, slamming 20 aces in a hard-fought victory over Lu Yen-hsun.
The top seed was made to sweat for his 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 win against his Taiwanese rival, who has lost all 10 of his career quarter-finals.
“Credit to the opponent,” said the big-serving Czech, playing in Bangkok for the first time in half a decade.
“Sometimes I felt like I was in PlayStation. He was hitting so fast, so low and making so many winners. It was a tough match and I’m happy to go through. He played well. It proves how tough tennis is these days.”
Berdych needed a string of aces to claim his victory in just over one and three-quarter hours, coming back from a break down in the opening set. He only lost serve once while breaking his opponent three times.
Berdych last won a trophy in October in Stockholm and remains the only member of the ATP top 10 without a 2013 trophy.
He now faces world number 14 Gilles Simon, who overcame a back injury and jet lag to struggle past Dutchman Igor Sijsling.
The Frenchman, seeded fourth and winner of the Bangkok event in 2009, called for the trainer after the opening game of the final set, but recovered to take the match 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
“My back is not in a great shape now. The injury is a bit of everything,” said Simon, who is bidding to reach his third Thailand final, having lost to compatriot Richard Gasquet last year.
Meanwhile in Tokyo, Petra Kvitova ended the run of a resurgent Venus Williams at the Pan Pacific Open winning a high-octane shootout 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 to reach the final where she will face fellow “lefty” Angelique Kerber.
The German Kerber had too much firepower for Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, the fifth seed beating the former world number one 6-2, 7-6 to reach her seventh career final.
Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon champion from the Czech Republic, repelled everything Williams threw at her in a pulsating Tokyo semi-final, the seventh seed holding her nerve to tear through the deciding tiebreak 7-2 and complete victory in two hours, 24 minutes.
“That was definitely one of my best matches of the season,” Kvitova said.
“I knew she would attack and I had a little trouble so I just tried to do the same to her.”
Kerber was just as elated as Kvitova after booking her spot in the final.
“It has been great day. But It will be very tough against Petra,” said Kerber after ousting 2010 Tokyo winner Wozniacki.
“She is playing at a very high level so I have to match that,” added the German, seeking a third career title and a first of 2013.
“I’ll try not to get too nervous and stick to my game plan.” — AFP
The announcement was made before the 2011 French Open winner had even hit a ball at the China Open, where qualifying matches are currently being played.
Asia’s first singles Grand Slam winner has qualified for the WTA Championships for the last two seasons, having finished 2011 ranked fifth and seventh last year.
“I’m so happy to have qualified again,” Li Na said, on the WTA’s website. “I had a great time in Istanbul last year and I’m looking forward to coming back and playing my best tennis for the fans in Turkey.”
Li Na is aiming for her biggest win on home soil when she takes on a star-studded field at the dual ATP and WTA event at Beijing’s Olympic Park.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic headline the men’s draw and Serena Williams leads a packed women’s field. Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska – the world numbers one, two, three and four – have already qualified for the WTA Championships. — AFP