Kimiko Date-Krumm cripples Yi-Miao Zhou to enter title-round – Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge 2012
Former world number four, Kimiko Date-Krumm, eased past the Chinese challenger, Yi-Miao Zhou, in straight sets at the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge 2012 on Friday. She nudged up a 6-2, 6-3 victory against the world number 197 to power into the final showdown at this ITF (International Tennis Federation) Women’s Circuit event taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Seeded eighth in this event, Date-Krumm re-ignited her old spark to outclass the Chinese in their first encounter. After ruling in almost an hour-long battle, the Japanese booked a spot in the final round at this outdoor hard court tournament.
The Japanese veteran brought her experience into handy at the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa. She drew the first blood in the third game and cruised to a 3-1 lead. Date-Krumm held her composure and not only kept remaining serves but broke her rival’s serve again, eventually pulling out the opener with a 6-2 score line. She dusted away both breakpoints she came across and capitalised on two out of five break chances to prevail.
Currently ranked 121st in the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Rankings, Date-Krumm kept momentum rolling in the proceeding set. She got the desiderated break in the second game and jumped to a 3-0 lead. The Japanese maintained consistency in her game and not only bagged remaining serves but clicked the set with a 6-3 success. She cashed the lone break opportunity and brushed off all three breakpoints she faced.
Date-Krumm is enjoying a spectacular run of form. She recently made a final eight appearance at the OEC Taipei Ladies Open, maiden WTA 125 event held in Chinese Taipei. The Japanese then moved up a gear and secured title-round appearances at the Royal Indian Open in Pune (lost to seventh seed Elina Svitolina) and the Toyota ITF (lost to third seed Stefanie Voegele) before entering this event.
Next up for Date-Krumm is the Kazakhstani challenger, Yulia Putintseva, who stunned fifth seeded Kristyna Pliskova in a three-set thriller to set up this meeting. The Kazakh made an epic comeback from a set down to outshine the seeded Czech and secured the final berth.
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