2011 Hobart International: Jarmila Groth and Peng Shuai in semis
23-year-old Jarmila Groth of Australia has made her way into the semi-final round of the 2011 Hobart International on Thursday.
The right-hander confirmed her final-four spot after brushing aside Roberta Vinci in a rain-interrupted match. The final match score was 6-1, 6-2.
Groth, who is currently enjoying her career highest WTA singles ranking of number 40, after the match said, “I have not played much so I was trying to get it over and done with. I think I played well. She is a tricky player. It was not easy ... I made a
few errors with my serve, but overall not too bad.”
Groth will face Klara Zakopalova of Czech Republic for a berth in the title battle on Friday. Klara advanced into the final-four round after thrashing out tournament’s number one seed Marion Bartoli in two sets earlier in the day. The final score was 6-4,
6-2.
“I am used to playing against top 10 players and they can barely play like that. I wonder if she can play like this every day of the year, but if she does she is going to be top five for sure. She was just crushing the ball, playing the lines. It was just
too good,” said Klara of Bartoli after her victory.
Meanwhile, China’s Peng Shuai also advanced into semis after hammering down Sara Errani in two sets, 6-1, 6-3. Earlier in the day, Sara had beaten Alicia Molik of Australia in a rain-interrupted match to reach the quarters in straight sets.
Peng, who won a gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games, will next take on Bethanie Mattek-Sands from the United States of America for a spot in the title battle.
The 25-year-old Bethanie, who made her debut on the WTA tour back in 1999, played impressive tennis against her quarterfinal foe Angelique Kerber of Germany to cruise into the final-four round. She won the match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
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