By Alberto Amalfi | Friday, April 22, 2022
World No. 51 Yulia Putintseva rallied from a set down toppling sixth-seeded Ajla Tomljanovic 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 to reach her first semifinal of the season in Istanbul.
Photo credit: Tennis Championship Istanbul Facebook
Veterans continue cleaning up on clay in Istanbul.
World No. 51 Yulia Putintseva rallied from a set down toppling sixth-seeded Ajla Tomljanovic 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 to reach her first semifinal of the season at the TEB BNP Paribas Tennis Championship.
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Defending champion Sorana Cirstea cruised into the semifinals with a 7-5, 6-1 sweep of Austrian qualifier Julia Grabher.
The second-seeded Cirstea won 12 of 16 points played on Grabher's second serve and converted all six break points in a 78-minute victory. Cirstea improved to 8-0 in Istanbul.
The 32-year-old Romanian will face either third-seeded Veronika Kudermetova or 72nd-ranked Hungarian Anna Bondar in the semifinals.
Putintseva fought off nine of 12 break points and won 16 of the last 18 points played on her serve scoring a two hour, 51-minute triumph.
The 27-year-old Putintseva will play qualifier Anastasia Potapova for a place in Sunday's final.
World No. 122 Potapova surprised seventh-seeded Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2, 6-2 on the strength of five service breaks.
The 21-year-old Potapova is closing in on a Top 100 return rising to No. 103 in the live rankings as a result of her semifinal run.