Qualifier Sasnovich, Svitolina make final
brisbane — Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich became the first qualifier ever to reach the final of the Brisbane International tennis tournament when she beat seventh-seeded Latvian Anastasija Sevastova on Friday.
The 23-year-old Sasnovich outlasted Sevastova 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 in 93 minutes to move into Saturday’s final against Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian stunned second seed Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 7-5 to reach her first Brisbane International final in four attempts.
Nick Kyrgios turned on the style in time to beat Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov and set up a semi-final against top seed and holder Grigor Dimitrov.
The mercurial Australian huffed and puffed through a tricky encounter 1-6 6-3 6-4. Bulgarian Dimitrov also had to battle hard against Britain’s Kyle Edmund, winning 6-3 6-7(3) 6-4 in two hours and 23 minutes at the Men Quarterfinals Alex de Minaur (AUS) bt Michael Mmoh (USA) 6-4, 6-0; Nick Kyrgios (AUS X3) bt Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) 1-6, 6-3, 6-4; Ryan Harrison (USA) bt Denis Istomin (UZB) 7-6 (8/6), 4-2 rtd; Grigor Dimitrov (BUL X1) bt Kyle Edmund (GBR) 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 Women Semifinals: Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) bt Anastasija Sevastova (LAT X7) 7-6 (7/3), 6-4; Elina Svitolina (UKR X3) bt Karolina Pliskova (CZE X2) 7-5, 7-5 Pat Rafter Arena.
Kyrgios, who will be under the home spotlight at this month’s Australian Open, made 36 unforced errors against Dolgopolov but there were 27 winners too.
“As bad as it is to say, it’s kind of like a tap. I can turn it on when I want to,” the third seed told reporters. “I’m feeling pretty good. I’m hitting the ball well and I’m serving really well, ”added Kyrgios. — Reuters/AFP