By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday September 18, 2021

 

Clara Tauson edged Marketa Vondrousova to reach the final in Luxembourg.

Photo: WTA Luxembourg

Clara Tauson made it a perfect 2-0 in WTA semifinals by taking out Olympic silver medalist Marketa Vondrousova, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, to set a final with Jelena Ostapenko at the BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open.



The 18-year-old broke for 5-4, after an earlier trade of breaks in the third set, and served out the victory to earn her third Top-50 victory over 2021.

“I feel good,” she said. “It was a really tough match. She played well and I played well, so I’m really happy with the win and to be back in a 250 final is always nice.”

Tauson has had a breakout season on tour that included a maiden WTA title at Lyon at March. She also claimed a 125K title in Chicagao, where she defeated Emma Raducanu in the final, in addition to two 25K titles at Fujairah and Altenkirchen earlier in the season.

“I think especially in my mind the week in Lyon was like a dream week,” Tauson said. “I didn’t think about anything, I just played and it went well. I think it’s much better here because I’m facing some difficulties. I think it’s much better that I’m facing some difficulty and winning the matches.”

In total, Tauson owns a 36-13 record and has risen from outside the Top-150 to a projected ranking of 53 in next week’s WTA rankings.

Earlier on Saturday, Ostapenko defeated Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, 6-1, 7-6(4). The 24-year-old won the title at Luxembourg on her debut in 2019.

“I mean it’s going to be a tough match again,” Tauson said. “She’s playing quite solid. She’s a Grand Slam champion, and I think a former champion. I’m just going to go out and see what I can do against her and see what she has for me.”