Dalila Jakupovic of Slovenia bounced back from a tricky start to beat Sabina Sharipova of Uzbekistan 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals of the L&T $125,000 WTA Mumbai Open tennis tournament at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) here on Saturday.
With the sea breeze sometimes causing discomfort, Jakupovic emphasised her grit to find her way into the final.
Calling her father and coach for consultation when things were not going her way, the 28-year-old wrestled from the baseline, and ran down every angular shot that Sharipova brought off with such consistency.
In the final reckoning, it was a matter of converting the chances, and Jakupovic converted five of six breakpoints that she forced. Sharipova, on the other hand, converted only three of six.
Even though the scoreline suggest a comfortable victory, Jakupovic, after a hesitant start, won a mere five points more than her opponent (78 to 73).
In the other semifinal, top seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus beat France’s Amandine Hesse 6-2, 6-3.
To her credit, the 24-year-old Amandine fought bravely, serving five aces and hitting her patent strokes into the corners for winners.
But Sabalenka, who fired nine aces and numerous winners, was ruthless.
Victoria Rodriguez of Mexico and Bibiane Schoofs of Netherlands fought past Beatrice Gumulya and Ana Veselinovic to earn the right to challenge Jakupovic and Russia’s Irina Khromacheva in the doubles final.
The results: Semifinals: Dalila Jakupovic (Slo) bt Sabina Sharipova (Uzb) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3; Aryna Sabalenka (Blr) bt Amandine Hesse (Fra) 6-2, 6-3.
Doubles: Victoria Rodriguez (Mex) & Bibiane Schoofs (Ned) bt Beatrice Gumulya (Ina) & Ana Veselinovic (Mne) 7-6(2), 6-4 .
