Vinci Falls While Compatriot Errani Continues To Ascend

By Ted LePak

Photo Credit: AP Photo

(May 4, 2012) The top seeded Italian Sara Errani continued her hot streak in Budapest today. With the win Errani will have a shot at a third consecutive clay-court title in the finals.

Errani beat Anna Tatishvili of Georgia 6-2, 6-1.

"Anna played a good match, she played strong, but maybe she was a bit tired after the long match she had yesterday," Errani said.

Although Errani is not a clay court specialist per say, Errani has won her last 14 matches on clay courts, a string that includes titles this year in Acapulco and Barcelona. Three of Errani's four career WTA titles have come on clay courts.

Errani will face Elena Vesnina after Vesnina eliminated fifth-seeded Marina Erakovic of New Zealand 6-2, 6-4 in the other semifinal at Romai Tennis Academy.

Meanwhile at the Estoril Open, the sixth seed Kaia Kanepi surprised top-seeded Roberta Vinci to reach the finals. Kanepi upset the Italian Vinci 6-2, 7-5 and will now meet Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro in the Estoril finale at National Stadium. Suarez Navarro subdued the qualifier Karin Knapp of Italy 6-4, 6-0. Thus dropping both Italians out of the running for the 2012 Estoril Open title.