Miami: Russia’s Daria Kasatkina advanced to the final of the WTA Charleston Open on Saturday after a three-set semi-final victory over top seed Jessica Pegula of the United States.
Kasatkina, who needed a long medical time-out in the third set, booked her place in Sunday’s final with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) victory over home hope Pegula in 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The Russian fourth seed finished the semi-final with her right leg heavily strapped after a grueling scrap against her opponent.
Kasatkina looked to be in trouble in the final set tie-break after Pegula raced to a 3-1 lead.
But the 26-year-old, who won the Charleston crown in 2017, showed great courage to come back and take control.
She moved to double match point at 6-4 in the tie-break after Pegula hit a return into the net.
Pegula saved the first match point after Kasatkina hit a long forehand, but the Russian made no mistake on the next point, beating her opponent with a superb forehand off the crossbar to seal the win.
The defeat marked a disappointing end to the tournament for Pegulu, who advanced to the last four after an incredible Houdini quarter-final, saving four match points before pushing past Victoria Azarenka.
“One day you win a match on match points, the next day you lose,” Kasatkina said after Saturday’s win. “I call it ‘tennis drama’ – it has to be like this.
Kasatkina will face another American in the form of Danielle Collins in Sunday’s final.
Brimming with confidence after her recent victory at the Miami Open, Collins beat third seed Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-3, 6-3 to continue her recent fine form in the final season of her career.
The World No.22 is now on a 12-match unbeaten run and Saturday’s victory means she has won 21 matches this year – tied for third-best on the tour alongside Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakin.
