Shuai Peng tops Sania Mirza in the second semi-final three-setter at Charleston
Chinese tennis pro Shuai Peng recorded the second tight win of the day at the semi-finals of Charleston, defeating her Indian opponent Sania Mirza in three unpredictable sets 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 at the 2011 Family Circle Cup on Friday.
The seeded pro is currently ranked World Number 30, 60 spots above Sania Mirza at World Number 90. She was expected to win the match without much trouble, but Mirza has been having a great run at the Family Circle Cup this year.
Although she did not qualify for the Premier event as a main draw entry, she received admittance upon clearing the qualifying singles to make it to the actual tournament. Despite her low ranking, the Indian pro defeated players such as Vania King and Alison
Riske of USA before ousting up-and-coming wild card Sabine Lisicki of Germany.
Shuai Peng has been part of the Women’s Tennis Association for many years and 25 years old. She has not won any career titles yet, but has won 26 of the 34 matches she has played so far this year. The right-handed player is expected
to win her first title this year. Mirza, on the other hand, has one career title but has also been on a bit of a slump for many months now. She has been playing as a pro since 2003, and has spent almost eight years on tour.
Mirza took Peng by surprise in the first set, and it seemed as if she would prevail over her opponent easily when she took the lead by 6-2. However, she quickly lost her lead by committing four double faults during the match and
being broken four six times. Peng also stepped up her game and took the lead by scoring three aces and playing a near flawless match in the last two sets. She ultimately won the match 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 by winning seven points more than Mirza.
Shuai Peng will now face twelfth seed Julia Goerges of Germany or unseeded pro Elena Vesnina of Russia in the semi-finals of the event.
Tags: