LO 2019 – Riske first to reach final

The first finalist for the women’s final is known. Alison Riske defeated Veronika Kudermetova in the semi-final with 6-4 3-6 7-6(5).

The first semi-final match lasted over 2 hours. Riske, who won the grass court tournament in Surbiton last week, started well and won the opening set by a break.

Kudermetova came back in the second set with an attacking play from the baseline. The 22 year old Russian balanced the match by winning the second set with 6-3.

The decisive set turned into a nail-biting battle. Kudermetova could serve to victory at 5-4, but failed. At 6-5 she had another chance to serve for the win. But Riske came back and the set needed a tiebreak to decide the winner.

Kudermetova started strong in the tiebreak with a 5-2 disadvantage as a result. With the goal in sight the young Russian got slightly nervous. Riske kept on fighting and scored, with a little help of Kudermetova, five points on a row. She used her first match point and reached the final in Rosmalen for the first ime.

Her opponent in the final will be the winner of the second semi-final match between Kiki Bertens and qualifier Elena Rybakina.