Friday, June 19, 2009
Singles - Semifinals
Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. Marion Bartoli (FRA) 64 10 ret. (right thigh strain)
Friday, June 19, 2009
Centre Court (from 11.30hrs)
1. Razzano vs. Bartoli
2. Wozniacki vs. Wozniak
Court 1 (from 12.00hrs)
2. Black/Huber vs. Stosur/Stubbs
3. King/Zheng vs. Amanmuradova/Sugiyama
The semifinal line-ups at the AEGON International were decided on Thursday in front of the second biggest crowd in the tournament’s 34-year history.
In Friday’s opening match on centre court, Virginie Razzano and Marion Bartoli face off in an all-French semifinal, scheduled to start at 11.30am.
Razzano defeated defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska 7-6(5) 7-5 in their quarterfinal contest and said she felt comfortable on the grass. "I played very good and I am very happy because this has been a great tournament for me,” said Razzano.
“I'm very happy to win again, it's good for my confidence to be playing well and I've worked hard for this. I've never lost until I have been beaten and I am fighting all the time to win."
Radwanska acknowledged that she’d been beaten by a better player on the day.
"Virginie played very well today and served very well, especially when I tried to come back,” said the Polish woman. “I played her here last year and it was 6-4 in the third set so I didn't expect an easy match. She was too good today. Eastbourne has been good preparation for Wimbledon and I hope I get a good draw there and can do better,” she said.
Bartoli said she was expecting a tough match against Razzano. “I haven't played her for three years and she’s beaten two good players in the last two rounds so I'm expecting a hard match,” said the world No.12. “I played a good match today and it's nice that there will be one Frenchwoman in the final with a chance to win Eastbourne.”
The second women’s semifinal may prove something of a tongue twister for its umpire, the tournament’s No.6 seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark taking on Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada.
Wozniacki defeated Ekaterina Makarova 6-3 6-2 and was feeling confident after her 58-minute win. “I think I played really well today, I won in two sets and I’m really happy about my game,” she said, explaining that she wouldn’t be taking anything for granted going into her semifinal against world No.23 Wozniak.
“She is another great player. I played twice against her on the main tour and won both times but again, on grass, it’s different and you really have to be focused all match. I hope I can win the title but I always take one match at a time and just enjoy playing so I need to win my semifinal first,” Wozniacki said.
Her opponent said she had discovered a love for grass courts at Devonshire Park. “It’s a surprise because I’m playing so well on grass and I’m starting to really enjoy myself,” said Wozniak.
“We get the chance once a year to play on grass courts so we better make the most of it. I pretty much played really clean solid tennis today and I’m really happy because with each match I’m progressing.
“Caroline’s a very great opponent on the grass and I’ll have to focus on the game, have a good game plan, play the best that I can and play smart tomorrow.”
Wozniak said she was proud to be one of two Canadian representatives at the semifinal stage of the tournament along with compatriot Frank Dancevic.
“It’s so exciting, you know, to have a man and a woman from Canada in the semifinals of Eastbourne, it’s great,” she said.
