WTA Palermo: Anett Kontaveit and Fiona Ferro set title clash

Anett Kontaveit and Fiona Ferro will fight for the first WTA title since the coronavirus outbreak in Palermo. The 24-year-old Estonian is through to her sixth WTA final, chasing the second title following a 6-2, 6-4 triumph over the top seed Petra Martic in an hour and 29 minutes. They played for the first time in February in Dubai and Martic won that one, unable to repeat the same performance after dropping more than a half points in her game and suffering five breaks. Kontaveit opened a 6-2, 5-2 advantage, struggling a bit in the closing stages but still bringing the victory home to stay on the title course. Anett held with an ace in the first game to get her name on the scoreboard, securing a break in game four following a poor drop shot from Martic to open a 3-1 gap. The Estonian confirmed the break with a service winner, controlling the pace so far and fending off a break point in game seven when Petra sent a backhand long.

Serving to stay in the set, the Croat sprayed a forehand error a few minutes later to hand the opener to Kontaveit, having to raise her level if she wanted to fight for the place in the final. They traded breaks in the opening games of the second set and Kontaveit scored another at 2-1 to move in front. After five commanding service games on both sides, Anett served for the triumph at 5-3, only to get broken at 15 and bring Petra back into contention. Petra asked for medical timeout ahead of the tenth game, losing it at love to propel the rival into the final. Kontaveit will play against Fiona Ferro who prevailed against Camila Giorgi 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and six minutes for the second WTA final. They both claimed 88 points and stayed neck and neck until the end, with the French player staying calm in the closing stages to cross the finish line first.

Anett Kontaveit and Fiona Ferro scored the semi-final wins in Palermo.

Ferro suffered five breaks from ten chances offered to Giorgi, earning six breaks on the other side to find herself over the top. The Italian made the best start, securing three breaks in the opening set for a comfortable 6-2 lead, closing the set with a break at love and hoping for more of the same in set number two. There, Fiona responded in the same way, earning breaks in games one, five and seven to reach a decider, with the momentum on her side. Ferro grabbed a break in the third game to open a 5-3 gap, failing to serve out for the victory in the tenth game for more drama. It wasn't for Camila, as she lost eight of the last 11 points to send the French over the top and miss the opportunity to chase the crown in front of the home fans.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3imSuf7