Varvara Lepchenko prevails over Tamira Paszek to enter semis – KDB Korea Open 2012
Seeded sixth in this event, Varvara Lepchenko powered to her first semi-final after trouncing the Austrian contender, Tamira Paszek, in a three-set thriller at the KDB Korea Open Tennis Championship 2012 on Friday. She clobbered a 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 victory
against the world number 35 at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) International event held in Seoul, South Korea.
The American seed showed tremendous skills to outshine Paszek in their fourth outing. After recording the victory in two hours and 45 minutes, Lepchenko avenged her loss in Quebec City last season and levelled the head-to-head series by 2-2 against the 21-year-old.
As a result, Lepchenko secured her first semi-final spot on the WTA tour.
"It's my first time in the semi-finals of a WTA event, so I'm very happy," the blooming American commented in a courtside interview after winning the match. "Today's match lasted almost three hours and I had to be really patient and focused - but I'm really
happy to win and I'm looking forward to my next one."
The Dornbirn native made quick in-roads at the Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center. She smoothly plucked her entire serves after blocking the lone breakpoint she faced. Paszek required a single break opportunity in the ninth game and eventually sealed the opener
by winning six games to four.
Lepchenko refocused her strategy in the following set. She got the coveted break in the fourth game and leaped to a 4-1 lead. Apart from losing her edge in the ninth game, the American remained calm and prolonged the set to a tie-breaker. She cruised to
a 5-1 lead in it before closing out the equaliser with a 7-6(3) win.
Ranked 21st in the WTA Premier Rankings, Lepchenko carried her rhythm in the final set. She got the crucial break in the opening game and took the initial lead. Apart from losing her edge in the very next game, the American remained focused and
held her remaining serves with poise. She got the breakthrough in the fifth game and clinched the decider with a 6-4 score line.
Next challenge for Lepchenko is the third seed, Kaia Kanepi from Estonia.
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