# Former world No. 11 Anastasija Sevastova (WTA 656) and Romanian No. 3 Jacqueen Cristian (#81), who was ranked 58th in the world two years ago, will compete today.
• In 2023, Sevastova had a 6-2 record, including two wins in the Austrian League. Christiana went 52-29 last year, including at the ITF level. They are already 2-0 and 4-5 this year, respectively.
• In this tournament, Sevastova defeated (6:2, 6:3) Romanian Andrea Mita (#216) and beat (6:2, 6:7, 2:0 ret.) Elina Avanesyan (#61). This week Christiana beat (6:3, 6:2) the Spanish Marin Basols (#105) and won (6:4, 6:0) the Danish Klara Towson (#80), avenging the loss a week ago – 2:6, 0: 6.
• It is not easy to return to big tennis after a maternity break. Our tennis player does not have to worry about accessing tournaments, because there is an opportunity to use the special ranking (the world ranking place she had before pregnancy) or to receive special invitations. Sevastova entered the Romanian main tournament with a special rank (SR 65).
• Returning to the world tour, in November-December, Sevastova reached the quarterfinals in two “WTA 125” or women’s “challengers” – Andorra and Limoges.
• At the “Grand Slam” level, Sevastova has the “US Open” semi-finals (2018) and two quarter-finals (2016, 2017), as well as the “French Open” round of 16 (2019) and two “Australian Open” round of 16 (2011, 2019). At this level, Christiana has played in the second round twice – “Australian Open” (2022) and Wimbledon (2023).
• During her career, currently 33-year-old Sevastova has triumphed in four WTA “250” tournaments – in Portugal (2010), Romania (2017), Spain (2018), Jurmala (2019). Eight years younger Christiana has yet to win a major title.
• Sevastova last reached the semifinals of the “WTA 250” in July 2019 in Jurmala.
• In case of today’s victory, Sevastova will enter the world ranking “top 400” next week.
• In this tournament, Sevastova’s coach is Stefans Retl, an Austrian specialist.
Foto: RS Tennis & Athletics
• The winner of the duel will face Dutch Arantxa Risa (#45) or Romanian Ana Bogdana (#65) in the semi-finals.
Resources used:
wtatennis.com
2024-02-08 22:55:00
#Sevastova #fight #semifinals #Romanian #WTA #Tennis #Sportacentrs.com
