Kimiko Date-Krumm hits back at Karolina Pliskova to reach semis – Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge 2012
Japanese veteran, Kimiko Date-Krumm, bounced back to outrun the Czech starlet, Karolina Pliskova, in a three-set thriller at the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge 2012 on Thursday. She juggled up a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory against the world number 115 to secure a
place in the final four at this ITF (International Tennis Federation) Women’s Circuit event taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Seeded eighth in this event, Date-Krumm brought her experience into handy after losing the opening set. She focused on every single point and eventually carved out the victory in almost two hours. As a result, the Japanese comfortably progressed into the
semi-finals at this outdoor hard court tournament taking place from 26th November to 2nd December.
The 20-year-old got the coveted break early in the set and took the initial lead. Despite exchanging a serve break later on, the youngster remained focused and eventually pulled out the opener with a 6-3 score line.
The former world number four, Date-Krumm found her rhythm in the proceeding set. She got the critical break in the third game and jumped to a 4-1 lead. Despite exchanging a serve break later on, the Japanese put her nose ahead and carved out the equaliser
with a 6-3 success.
The match could have gone in any direction but the 42-year-old kept momentum rolling. She got the first blood in the opening game and despite exchanging serves later on, Date-Krumm managed to pull out the decider with a 6-4 score line.
Summing up the veteran’s performance in this battle, the Japanese manifested a better first serve share of 83 per cent as compared to his rival’s 65 per cent and superbly marked 47 out of 75 points on it. She withstood five aces and ended the match with
91 points.
Next in line for Date-Krumm is the Chinese challenger, Yi-Miao Zhou, who overpowered Japan’s Kurumi Nara in straight sets to set up this meeting.
Karolina’s sister, Kristyna Pliskova, faced a better fate later that day. She stunned third seeded Nina Bratchikova in straight sets to progress in this event. The fifth seed lost her serve once but cashed five break chances to progress.
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