SVITOLINA STAYS PERFECT AGAINST WOZNIACKI
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, UAE
Women’s Final: [13] Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs. [15] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)
Svitolina led their head-to-head 1:0; yet, Wozniacki came out dictating the points and looked like she was ready to turn the tables on her opponent. A slight dip in her focus was all Svitolina needed to steal the first set. The second set was all Svitolina and Wozniacki started to get frustrated as she saw the match slipping out of her grasp. She was perhaps a little injured and fatigued but all credit to Svitolina who fought through her own doubts to win 6-4, 6-2 and claimed her second title of the season.
YOUNG COULD NOT GET BY SOCK
Men’s Semifinal: [21] Jack Sock (USA) vs. [69] Donald Young (USA)
Sock had a 2:0 advantage going into this match, but Young has been playing consistently high quality tennis recently so this had the potential to have a different outcome. Sock broke early but Young broke back. Did Young lose this match because he did not believe or was he outplayed by his opponent? I think he lost because he was tentative when he needed to be confident and aggressive, which came from his mental state. Whether it was conscious or not, he did not quite believe he could defeat Sock. Sock won 6-4, 7-6(2) and advanced to his second final of the season.
RUUD WAS UNDONE BY NERVES
Men’s Semifinal: [24] Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) vs. [208] Casper Ruud (NOR)
Their first meeting and it was a test for the veteran. Ruud won the first set easily, broke twice in the second set; however, he could not close out the set to win the match. After being so stoic all week, the teenager finally felt the full weight of what he was about to accomplish and came undone by a bout of nerves, opening the door for Carreno Busta to get back in the match. Once he got a foot hold, there was no looking back and Carreno Busta took the third set easily to win the match 2-6, 7-5, 6-0. Despite the collapse, it was a great performance from the youngster and he will learn from this and come back stronger.
SOURCE OF IMAGES: Bing search
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