Dayana Yastremska withdraws from Prague with dental problems

World no. 25 Dayana Yastremska will not compete in Prague this week, citing dental issues as the reason for withdrawal. The 20-year-old made a solid return after the coronavirus pandemic, reaching the quarter-final in Palermo last week and missing the opportunity to go further. Dayana was supposed to compete against Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round, having to withdraw and trying to get ready for Cincinnati and the US Open. Yastremska made a great restart of the season, beating Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-3, 6-4 to find herself in the second round. There, Dayana ousted Oceane Dodin 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 17 minutes for the quarters. The Ukrainian blasted 11 aces and dominated with her first serve, suffering two breaks and earning five to move over the top. Dayana had almost 40 winners with less than ten unforced errors, imposing her strokes and sailing into the last eight.

Saving a break point in the first game, the Ukrainian grabbed a break in the second and again for a 5-1 advantage. Serving for the set, Yastremska got broken to prolong the action, only to seal the set following a double fault from Dodin in game eight. They traded breaks early in the second set and stayed neck and neck until the tenth game when Yastremska grabbed a crucial break to move over the top. In the battle for the semi-final, Camila Giorgi saved two match points against Yastremska in a 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 triumph. It was the final match of the day, lasting almost three hours and finishing just before 1:30 am local time! Giorgi won five points more than Yastremska, trailing 6-4, 5-3 before performing a comeback. Serving for the victory at 5-4 in set number two, Dayana wasted two match points, suffering a break and dropping the tie break 7-5.

Dayana Yastremska reached the quarter-final in Palermo but will skip Prague.

With the momentum on her side, Giorgi claimed the final four games of the decider from 3-2 down, crossing the finish line and staying on the title course. Yastremska kicked off the season in Brisbane, losing to world no. 9 Kiki Bertens and improving that in Adelaide where she played for the title. Ashleigh Barty toppled the youngster in straight sets, and Dayana had to leave Australia quickly after that, suffering the second-round loss at the Australian Open to former champion Caroline Wozniacki. Dubai and Qatar were not that good for an aggressive baseliner who spent the coronavirus time at home in Odessa, working on her game and hoping for notable results in the USA in the following weeks. Dayana has won three WTA finals so far, from four finals.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2F6s4jq