WTA Lexington: Cori Gauff performs a marvelous escape. Teichmann tops Bellis

World no. 49 Jennifer Brady is through to the second semi-final of the season in Lexington, ousting Marie Bouzkova 6-1, 6-2 in 64 minutes. The American had the upper hand all the time, dropping 14 points in seven service games and suffering one break of serve. Bozukova had to repeat those numbers to remain in touch, although she was nowhere near them, giving away almost 60% of the points in her games and suffering five breaks to finish the run in the quarters. Brady grabbed all three return games in the opener for a 6-1, taking ten of the first 11 games to forge a 6-1, 4-0 advantage. Bouzkova served well in games five and seven in set number two, although it wasn't enough to keep her longer in contention, with Brady sealing the deal in game eight. Jil Teichmann took down Catherine Bellis 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 21 minutes, advancing into the first semi-final since Palermo last July.

Serving at 43%, the American had to dig deep in almost every service game, suffering six breaks from eight chances offered to the Swiss and responding with three breaks on her tally. Sharing breaks in the opening games of the encounter, Teichmann took charge to win five straight games from 2-2, moving 4-2 up in set number two with a successful return game in game six. Taking one last charge, Bellis defended six match points on return at 3-5, extending the match with a break but falling short when Teichmann sealed the deal with another return game a few minutes later. In the last match of the day, Cori Gauff ousted Ons Jabeur 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in just under two hours. Ons led 6-4, 4-2 and had a break chance to forge a 5-2 advantage, only to waste it and drop ten of the last 11 games, propelling Gauff into the second WTA semi-final. Hitting three aces and 11 double faults, Cori struggled to find the rhythm in the first half of the encounter, exposing the inner strength to forge a comeback and perform a comeback.

Cori Gauff trailed 6-4, 4-2 before ousting Ons Jabeur, reaching the semi-final.

The youngster saved nine out of 12 break chances, earning five breaks to set the clash against the fellow American Jennifer Brady. It was a clinical performance from the Tunisian in the opener, dropping five points in her games and taking 15 straight points behind the initial shot. She stole Gauff's serve in the third game, firing three winners in game ten for a 6-4. Cori fended off two break chances at the beginning of the second set and broke the Tunisian to move 2-0 in front. Jabeur pulled the break back a few minutes later after a backhand mistake from Gauff, forcing an error from the youngster at 2-2 to secure another return game and take a big step towards the win.

In the pivotal moment, Cori fended off a break chance at 2-4, gathering boost and never looking back from there. The American broke back in game eight with a deep return to level the score, holding at 15 and rattling off the fourth straight one following a drop shot error from Ons to steal the set 6-4. They wasted five break opportunities at the beginning of the final set, with Gauff having the upper hand from 1-1, taking all games to race towards the finish line. The American broke at 2-1 with a backhand crosscourt winner, delivering another in the sixth game thanks to a tired backhand from Jabeur and moving over the top with a service winner. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3h5EwOM