Roberta Vinci of Italy and Maret Ani of Estonia are into the final of the $75k women’s tournament at the Welti Tennis Centre in Shrewsbury, both fighting out tough three-set victories in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Ani, the world No.105, defeated British junior No.1 Laura Robson 6-2 3-6 6-0 in one hour and 32 minutes. The contest was a hard-hitting affair with both girls striking some impressive winners off both wings.
After a slow start, Robson showed her fighting spirit in the second set, fighting back from a 1-3 deficit to win five consecutive games and level the match at one set apiece.
Ani’s superior experience showed in the third set however, and the tournament No.2 seed did not allow Robson, 12 years her junior, to win another game in the match.
In the second semi-final, Roberta Vinci defeated Kristina Barrois 6-4 5-7 6-4. World No.117, Vinci, came out firing in the first set of the match, taking the lead in 37 minutes.
The second set was more of a struggle, world No.111 Barrois taking an early 4-1 lead, Vinci fighting back before Barrois once again gained the ascendency and levelled the match.
In the end Vinci proved the more determined, reversing the pair’s result at Wimbledon this summer in two hours and three minutes.
Sunday's action at the Welti Tennis Centre kicks off at 12-noon with the singles final between Vinci and Ani. The singles final will be immediately followed by the doubles final, which features British interest at both ends of the court, between the nation's No.2 doubles player, Sarah Borwell, and Courtney Nagle of the USA, playing Anna Smith of Great Britain and Johanna Larson of Sweden.
Tournament organisers have constructed additional seating in preparation for the weekend's play with tickets costing £6 for members of the general public and £3 for Welti Tennis Centre members.