WTA Roundup: Noskova Stuns Andreeva, Pegula Survives Scare to Reach Bad Homburg Semis
Czech rising star Linda Noskova pulled off an impressive upset to reach the semifinals of the Bad Homburg Open in Germany, setting up a showdown with top seed Jessica Pegula, who battled through a tough three-setter on Thursday.
Noskova dispatched third-seeded Russian Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-3, saving all three break points she faced and never dropping her serve in the 78-minute match. Pegula, meanwhile, edged past fellow American and No. 5 seed Emma Navarro 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in a hard-fought encounter.
The other semifinal will be a marquee rematch of the 2024 French Open final, as No. 2 seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy will face No. 4 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland. Paolini got past Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia 7-5, 7-5, while Swiatek overcame No. 8 Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia 6-4, 7-6 (5).
Lexus Eastbourne Open: Pavlyuchenkova, Joint, Eala, Gracheva Reach Semis
In Eastbourne, England, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova booked her spot in the semifinals of the Lexus Eastbourne Open with a gritty 6-2, 2-6, 6-0 win over fellow Russian Kamilla Rakhimova. Pavlyuchenkova dominated on serve, firing nine aces and saving 11 of 13 break points.
Next, she will take on Australia’s Maya Joint, who advanced with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Anna Blinkova of Russia.
On the other side of the draw, Alexandra Eala of the Philippines cruised past Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-2. Eala will face France’s Varvara Gracheva, who progressed to the semifinals via walkover after Czech second seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova withdrew with a thigh injury.
– Field Level Media
