Wozniacki Outlasts Halep, Will Face Kerber In Stuttgart Final; Andujar Stuns Ferrer In Barcelona

by Staff | April 25th, 2015, 4:24 pm
  • 50 Comments

Former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki continued her climb back up the rankings earning one of her best wins of the season beating No. 3 ranked Simona Halep 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 in the Stuttgart semifinals.

“I had my chances to close it out in the second set but I didn’t, but then you just have to suck it up and play a third set – there’s nothing else you can do about it,” said the 5th-ranked Wozniacki. “I came out strong there and just tried to keep it going. I knew I had loads of energy left for the third set. That’s what I was going for, to try to stay longer in the rallies, make her run, and stay aggressive, and that’s really what I did.”

Following the 2-hour, 28-minute victory over the French Open finalist, Wozniacki moves on to face Angelique Kerber, a 6-3, 6-1 winner over Madison Brengle.

“I saw a little bit from her match today,” said Kerber who leads Wozniacki 5-4. “I think she’s in great shape. She played very well, moving everywhere on the court. So I think tomorrow will be a tough match against her, and also the matches we’ve played in the past were always tough battles. We’ll both give it our best tomorrow.

“I will sit down with my coach later and we’ll talk about the match. But for sure I will try to focus on my game, like I’ve done the whole week here. I just have to go out and try to play my game.”

Kerber has won her last 10 matches. Wozniacki is into her first Premier final since 2012 (Moscow) and her first clay court final since 2011 (Brussels).

“We both want to win,” Wozniacki said. “It’s all about momentum and all about trying to win the important points, keep your serve, be aggressive, be defensive when you need to – it’s going to be a tough match. Finals is finals, and that means both players have played well to reach that final.”

Wozniacki has 23 career titles, Kerber 4.

Barcelona has a Spaniard in the final, but it’s not Rafael Nadal nor David Ferrer. Ferrer was stunned today in the semifinals by countryman Pablo Andujar 7-6, 6-3.

“He applied the pressure and I played two poor games in the second set,” said Ferrer. “But the truth is Pablo played very well today.”

Awaiting Andujar in the final is defending champion Kei Nishikori who zipped past Martin Klizan 6-1, 6-2.

“I’m delighted to be playing the final again,” said Nishikori who is 20-1 as a top seed at an event. “You don’t usually play two finals in a row, especially in such a difficult tournament, with many great players. Lifting the trophy here last year gave me a lot of confidence and I think I changed my way of playing on clay.

“I’ve become more aggressive, my service is better and so is my return. I guess my style is becoming more Spanish. I still feel more comfortable on hard court than on clay but these last four matches have been great and I think they’ve helped me improve.”

In Bucharest, Spain went 1-1 in the semifinals with Guillermo Garcia-Lopez ousting Gael Monfils in three sets. G-Lo will meet Jiri Vesely in the final after the Czech took out Daniel Gimeno-Traver.

“I was in the semifinals two weeks ago in Casablanca and I lost against Gimeno-Traver, so it was kind of a revenge today,” said Vesely. “To be in the final of an ATP [World Tour] event is a really special moment. I will prepare as best as possible. I will try to play my best tomorrow and I will definitely enjoy the final as this will be a special day.”


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50 Comments for Wozniacki Outlasts Halep, Will Face Kerber In Stuttgart Final; Andujar Stuns Ferrer In Barcelona

RZ Says:

That’s a really good win for Caro. Nice to see her and Kerber both back on track.


Yolita Says:

I love the way Pablo Andújar has been playing all week.
It will be a good final…It’s not a given for Kei by any means, I don’t think.


mat4 Says:

@Yolita:

I don’t think he has the slightest chance. I am a bit disappointed for Roberto Bautista, who plays an elegant and intelligent game, but just lacks power.


jalep Says:

Not been a fan of Wozniacki’s tennis but she’s improved her serve, added variety and admit my favorite Simona did not have enough answers.

Kerber has been playing well but can’t see her beating Wozniacki.


jalep Says:

Was completely surprised Andujar beat Ferrer. So not going to underestimate him.


jalep Says:

I guess it’s time to change my mind about watching Caroline. Not boring tennis
anymore. Takes the 1st set 6-3.

Kerber’s serve is a liability.


jalep Says:

2nd serve I meant…mostly.


jalep Says:

Just when I’m thinking this will be one-sided Kerber turns up the heat on the power and placement of her ground game and is up 3-0 2nd set.

Aggressive play with crowd support…


jalep Says:

One thing Simona didn’t do well yesterday was take the opportunity to wrong foot Wozniacki aND there was plenty of times she didn’t. Kerber has been hitting behind Wozniacki, mixing it up aND Caroline is confused.

Kerber 2nd set 6-1 !!


jalep Says:

Not sure anyone cares about WTA much here. Since I’m alone at home, never mind me talking to mysrlf…ok? Ok.

Lefty forehand serve out wide, Caroline can return it but Kerber attacks the return wrong footing her- plan works well if Kerber gets her 1st serve in.

But it’s close. Caroline fighting like she’s Sharapova.


jalep Says:

Caro getting 86% 1st serves in. Giving Angie no looks at a 2nd serve. Angie struggling to hold serve.

This could be over. Caro sering for the Porsche.


jalep Says:

Hahaha. ..Angie broke her! But at 5-4 Caro, not sure Angie can hold.


jalep Says:

She holds! Even at 5-5.


jalep Says:

Angie Angie! She breaks Caro again and has a chance to get those car keys if she can hold please…


jalep Says:

Omg. Angie got it on the 4th matchpoint. So we’ll played coming from behind in the decider. Congrats Angie!

Heartbreaking for Caro.


Margot Says:

Yay! Angelique, my 2nd favourite player, wins! So gutsyin spite of what looked like a nasty thigh strain. So glad Caro’s blooming moonballing tactics failed!
*Waves* to Jalep.
Another really good match, yes?


jalep Says:

Cheers to that! Hey Margot? It was a truly fun to watch final. My only complaint is that here in the USA watching it on tennis channel the don’t bother with trophy ceremonies very often. I suppose if Madison Brindle would have won we would get to see it…typical TC.


Margot Says:

jalep: the I-think-you’ll-find-the- extremely-good-looking-one is off to a flyer.:)


jalep Says:

Margot you are right. Jane calls him Pablo honey. ..kinda like it.

Just started watching. Kei making lots of errors looks like. And Pablo playing really well, like yesterday.


Margot Says:

Kei rights ship and takes first set. Surprised ….not.


jalep Says:

But Kei finds his be just in time. Breaks Pablo. 64 Kei 1st set.


jalep Says:

Backhand. Also worked on Pablo’s 2nd serve.


jalep Says:

Pablo has 3 bps…1 BP 1st game 2nd set


jalep Says:

Margot. Pablo off to a flyer 2nd 2-0


Margot Says:

jalep: kei playing below his pay scale. Honey playing above.
Still expecting Kei to win, but interesting.


jalep Says:

I wouldn’t be disappointed to see honey win. Biggest win in his career. ..in Barcelona.


Margot Says:

Tho. I like Kei v. much, I wouldn’t be disappointed either. It would be good to see a hard working, underdog come through.


jalep Says:

3-1 Pablo Honey. ..everything going his way 2nd set.


jalep Says:

Kei playing well below his pay scale. Feel bad for millions of Japanese watching if Kei loses.


Margot Says:

Kei’s second serve is so vulnerable…
Wonder where I’ve heard that before…;)


jalep Says:

Tough hold Kei. Just one break down.


jalep Says:

Thinking of Andy. Wishing him well in where? Where’s he playing?


Margot Says:

Munich. And Jonas will be there. Phew! At last.
Is it Koenic that’s a complete jerk?


jalep Says:

Strong hold. Honey getting his 1st serves in. Not a sniff of a beak chance.


jalep Says:

Who is Koenic.?


Margot Says:

Commentator I think I’m listening to.
Kei breaks back. All over now? :(


jalep Says:

Kei got the break back. Now hold for heaven’s sake!

Sheesh…can’t buy a 1st serve


jalep Says:

You mean Robbie Koenig? I actually like him compared to Tennis Channel idiots. Paul Annecone.is good. But the rest…you wouldn’t like it Margot.


mat4 Says:

And finally, the little bee eat the honey… Didn’t watch the match (I’ll find some highlights, I guess), but by your comments, I thought that Pablo honey was going to win.


jalep Says:

Match point Kei. Congrats Kei!

Commiserate on to the hard fighting Pablo Honey :(


Margot Says:

And Kei wins! Well played. Poor Honey, what a time to serve a double!
Yes, that’s the bloke, always 4get whether its “Koenic” or “Koenig.” Too full of himself for me.
Thanks for your company jalep honey :) Some good tennis matches we’ve seen this weekend.
See you soon.


mat4 Says:

Robbie Koenig… the man that invented: “spot on”, “it is ridiculous”, “what are you doing, Novak Djokovic”, “pin point precision” and such?

Great maestro! I adore him, although, sometimes, I don’t have a clue what he is speaking about. But who cares? The enthusiasm is charming. And with Jason Goodall, it is quite a combination. My favourite.


jalep Says:

Kei can really turn things around by breaking opponent serve. mat4

His challenge today was holding serve.


jalep Says:

Au revoir, dear Margot!

Agree with you about Koenig and Goodall mat4. They make a charming combo, especially considering what’s on offer at Tennis Channel.


Margot Says:

@mat4
The bloke I’m talking about keeps endlessly mentioning his girl friend/fiancee in a way that suggests to me he’s not had one b4….;)


mat4 Says:

@jalep:

Yes, Kei worries me a lot. He is very consistent from the baseline, he has all the shots, and both his FH and his BH are great. His weakness are the serve (second serve especially) and the return — his return is average, although he can be quite aggressive on second serves. He could be terribly dangerous during the clay season.


jalep Says:

mat4. I’ve seen him return serve a lot better than he did today. I’ve seen him serve better than today too. He was playing just well enough to beat Honey is all.

Kei is one of my favorites on atp to watch but if he’s playing Nole, no contest as to which one I want winning!


jalep Says:

Gotta get my morning coffee mat4. Nice chatting with you. Au revoir!


mat4 Says:

@Margot:

“The bloke I’m talking about keeps endlessly mentioning his girl friend/fiancee in a way that suggests to me he’s not had one b4….;)”

Koenig? Can’t believe it…

I remember Chris Bradnam talking about his daughter for a whole match.

For me, probably the worst is Mats Wilander, who doesn’t even watch the match in front of him.


mat4 Says:

The best joke I’ve heard in a tennis match was Becker asking (knowing quite well who is in question): “Who is that old lady they keep showing?”

and Henman answering: “It’s my wife.”

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