By Chris Oddo | Thursday October 20, 2016
Petra Kvitova overcame a sluggish start before sprinting past Johanna Larsson and into the Luxembourg semis.
Photo Source: Wuhan Tennis
Petra Kvitova won for the 11th time in her last 12 matches, reeling off the final 11 games to defeat Sweden’s Johanna Larsson, 6-2, 6-0, at the BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open.
More: Kuznetsova Keeps Singapore Hopes Alive with Three-Set Win over Babos
Kvitova has won eight of nine sets against the 28-year-old World No. 47, and advances to face American Lauren Davis in the final four.
It has been a nice turnaround for Kvitova in the second half of 2016. She has won 23 of 28 matches and reached the 40-win mark this week in Luxembourg.
Kvitova claimed her first title of the season, and 18th of her career, at Wuhan three weeks ago.
The 23-year-old Davis is into her third semifinal of the season. The American rallied from a set down to defeat World No.55 Andrea Petkovic, 2-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Davis will bid for her third final since July when she faces Kvitova for the first time on Friday. She reached the final at Washington, D.C. and Quebec City, which were the first two finals of her career.
The other semifinal in Luxembourg will feature No.3-seeded Kiki Bertens vs. Monica Niculescu. Bertens, who snapped a six-match hardcourt losing streak with her first win in Luxembourg, defeated Denisa Allertova, 6-0, 6-4.
Niculescu advanced when No.2-seeded Caroline Wozniacki pulled out due to illness.