Cirstea plays once, wins twice in Strasbourg
STRASBOURG / WASHINGTON, May 27, 2021 (by Michael Dickens)
Sorana Cirstea arrived at the Strasbourg Tennis Club on Thursday knowing that if she could win her second round match, it would catapult her straight to the WTA 250 series semi-final Strasbourg International clay court event in north-eastern France.
How is that possible, one might ask? This is because the winner of the Cirstea-Zhang shuai match would earn a quarter-final victory by stint in Friday’s semi-final following the withdrawal of seed Bianca Andreescu. After Andreescu’s victory in the second round against the Belgian qualifiers Maryna Zanevska, the Canadian withdrew from the tournament after citing a slight abdominal tear that she revealed during her virtual press conference.
So, with the impending incentive of an automatic forfeit quarterfinal victory, Cirstea got to work against No.6 seed Zhang of Tianjin, China. Within an hour, the Bucharest, Romania native came out convincingly, 6-2, 6-1, following a strong overall performance. The victory saw Cirstea, who won her first WTA circuit title in 13 years in Istanbul last month, face the No.8 seed. Magda Linette from Poland.
?? @sorana_cirstea ️ @WTA_Strasbourg SF!
Defeated No. 6 seed Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the final four, via a quarter-final draw. pic.twitter.com/ju059ZH5uo
– wta (@WTA) May 27, 2021
Against Zhang, the 61st Cirstea scored 16 winners and won 77% (24 of 31) of her first serves. She didn’t face a break point from No.45 Zhang and converted four of her five break point chances. Cirstea edged Zhang 57-31 and improved her 2021 win-loss record to 13-6.
“I’m happy to be back in Strasbourg. At the beginning, it was not in my plans ”, Cirstea said Tennis TourTalk during a virtual interview. “After Istanbul, I suffered a wrist injury. I had a partial ligament tear. I was out for two weeks just for rehab. I had 10 days to prepare. Being able to come here and still be in the shape I had in Istanbul, that was great. I came without any expectations, but it is much better than I expected.
[Court Central] @sorana_cirstea 🇷🇴 wins the first set 6-2 against Shuai Zhang 🇨🇳 # IS21
Michel Grasso / Who is Maurice? pic.twitter.com/VHPLxYt5So
– Strasbourg International (@WTA_Strasbourg) May 27, 2021
Tennis TourTalk asked Cirstea about the importance of having a successful week to prepare for Roland Garros next week. “Definitely, it was the idea of having a good tournament before Roland-Garros, of having a few more matches. she said. “To play 100 percent, again, so far so good. I am very happy.
“I had a difficult game in the first round against Venus [Williams]. It was ups and downs, but today I raised my level and it was pretty good from start to finish. It gives me a lot of confidence for the next round, but also for Roland-Garros. “
Linette’s calm translates into victory
During seed n ° 8 Magda LinetteSurprise win of 6-3, 6-3 over the No. 4 seed Yulia Pouintseva from Kazakhstan, the 48th from Poznan, Poland, used her ability to stay calm in big moments unlike her volatile opponent. Her 75-minute victory over No.43 Putintseva represented the highest-ranked player she has beaten this year.
Linette’s serve was only in jeopardy twice and she beat Putintseva four times on seven occasions. The Polish n ° 2 dominated her opponent 63-42 to win against the Romanian Sorana Cirstea, not seeded. The triumph was Linette’s third in a row on clay and improved her record of wins and losses to 4-5.
Gorgeous !
?? @MagdaLinette moves in the @WTA_Strasbourg last four with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Putintseva. pic.twitter.com/sJQQJXjRk4
– wta (@WTA) May 27, 2021
“I just wanted to make sure I picked the right shots. I didn’t really want to rush. Linette said Tennis TourTalk after his victory in a virtual interview. “It’s really important for me to be able to get the point and stay calm in the shot. [Yulia] most of the time I played good tennis. I felt I had to stay calm and choose my shots wisely.
Tennis TourTalk asked Linette what her clay court success in Strasbourg meant to her. She said: “I think it was very important to me. I’m finding my shots and I’m really happy with how the things I worked on last week – little things – made such a big difference in my tennis. It gave me so much more confidence. I went out and played really well, I win some tough games – I’m getting through this – and today was a very solid win for me.
[Court Central] @MagdaLinette 🇵🇱 qualifies for the next stage by postponing these quarter-finals 6-3, 6-3 🕑1: 14 against Yulia Putintseva 🇰🇿 # IS21
She will face Sorana Cirstea in the semi-final tomorrowMichel Grasso / Who is Maurice pic.twitter.com/k5b7klvowF
– Strasbourg International (@WTA_Strasbourg) May 27, 2021
At No.5, Krejcikova is the remaining seed in Strasbourg
Fifth seed Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic made their way to the semi-finals, winning three times this week in Strasbourg. In doing so, not only does the Grand Slam doubles champion improve her singles game, but she is now the highest seed remaining in the singles table.
“With each match, I get better” Krejcikova, 38th in the standings, told the crowd of Patrice-Dominguez after his 7-6 (4), 6-1 victory over the No.3 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova from Russia. The hour and 37 minute win improved Krejcikova’s clay court record to 6-3 this season, and she is also very respectable 17-9 overall.
?? @BKrejcikova advance to @WTA_Strasbourg semi-finals!
The No.5 seed beats the No.3 seed Alexandrova 7-6 (4), 6-1. pic.twitter.com/v4pUJMU5Ef
– wta (@WTA) May 27, 2021
After winning a tight 7-4 tie-break to win the first set, Krejcikova got down to business and beat Alexandrova in each of the Russian’s last three service matches to wrap up the second set and claim victory.
Although the Czech star hit just eight winners, she took advantage of Alexandrova’s 46 unforced errors and outscored her opponent 71-61 to qualify for Germany’s Jule Neimeier.
Tennis TourTalk asked Krejcikova if winning the tie-break was a turning point in the game. She said: “I think it was very important” she said. “I have played her a few times and I always start really badly in the first set and she is always improving very well. I just felt like this time I had to start the first set very well. The tie-break was really decisive for the match.
[Court Central] @BKrejcikova flies to the semi-finals of # IS21 recalling the match 7-6 (4), 6-1 against Ekaterina Alexandrova
Michel Grasso / Who is Maurice pic.twitter.com/kK9ahKXbYd
– Strasbourg International (@WTA_Strasbourg) May 27, 2021
With a three-game winning streak on clay to build on, which included earlier wins against a pair of French women, Océane Dodin and Caroline garcia, Krejcikova said she enjoys playing in the tournament because it allows her to gain match experience while also allowing her to improve her singles game. “Now I’m in the semi-finals, I try to play without worries. Next week [at Roland Garros] it will be different “, she said.
“Here, I’m really happy to have a few matches, to gain confidence and experience. Every week is different.
Germany’s Niemeier takes his first Top 50 victory
It took a 21 year old German qualifier Jule niemeier two days to reach her first WTA quarterfinal, but she did. 216th-ranked Niemeier from Dortmund surprised seventh seed Shelby rogers 6-4, 7-6 (6) in one hour and 12 minutes to qualify for their second WTA main draw.
The victory over No.46 Rogers of the United States was the German’s first career victory against a Top 50 player.
“I’m very happy, it was a difficult game for me” Niemeier said during an interview on the pitch after his win over Rogers. “I’m leading 6-4, 2-1 before the game is suspended. I’m happy to have won in straight sets today.
“I am confident, yes. Every game that I play I have to adapt [to the opponent]. I’m glad I won.
Jule Niemeier is moving to Strasbourg!
After a rain delay, the 21-year-old qualifier beats No.7 seed Rogers 6-4, 7-6 (6).# IS21 pic.twitter.com/NrhYvOO3MK
– wta (@WTA) May 27, 2021
Niemeier’s second round win over Rogers pushed her to play seedless Arantxa Rus from the Netherlands, ranked 84th and nine years her senior. Niemeier came onto the pitch boosted by his previous victory over Rogers and performed as well, if not better, beating Rus, 6-4, 6-1, in an hour and 13 minutes. The win saw him advance to Friday’s semi-finals against No.5 seed Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic. This will be his first experience in the WTA semi-finals – and it comes after just three main draw wins at the WTA Tour level.
[Court Central] This 6th day of # IS21 ends with a victory for Jule #Niemeier 🇩🇪 6-4, 6-1 against Arantxa #Rus 01:13
We will meet her tomorrow in the semi-final against Barbora. #Krejcikova ??Michel Grasso / Who is Maurice pic.twitter.com/t1cq9sBLd7
– Strasbourg International (@WTA_Strasbourg) May 27, 2021
Neimeier hit five aces and 29 winners, faced no break points and outscored Rus 64-44.
“Yes, I am surprised [by my results] but I’m obviously happy to have won both matches today ”, Neimeier said Tennis TourTalk in a virtual interview after his quarter-final victory over Rus. “I’m just very happy to be playing happy right now. I know what I’m capable of [achieving]. “
The results of the Strasbourg International on Thursday
Around the Strasbourg Tennis Club
Yang zhaoxuan from China and Makoto ninomiya of Japan advanced to the doubles final with a 3-6, 7-5, 10-4 victory over Elixane Lechemia from France and Ingrid Neel the United States.
Agenda of the Strasbourg Internationals on Friday
What they say Tennis TourTalk
Sorana Cirstea on the impact and importance of playing in front of tennis fans, again: “Definitely, it’s still incredible with the public. I am so happy to see everyone. Even though everyone follows the protocols, people are slowly getting back to normal life. It’s amazing that fans can see sporting events again. For us. it’s great to hear them applaud. From the first day I came here it was a great feeling.