by British tennis stars Heather Watson and Sonay Kartal reach the Lexus W100 Shrewsbury semi-finals today after continuing their excellent form at the Shrewsbury Club.
Watson will face Swiss player Simona Waltert in the opening last four match of the day at the DMOS People Arena at midday, followed by Kartal against French second seed Oceane Dodin.
Kartal, the British number four and third seed this week, defeated 17-year-old Mingge Xu in an entertaining all-British quarter-final yesterday.
Kartal, whose fine run at Wimbledon earlier this year was ended by Coco Gauff in round three, won 7-6, 6-2 after saving three set points against Xu in the tie-break that decided the opening set.
“I knew it was going to be a super tough game,” Kartal said. “We train a lot at home in London – I think we both know how each other plays.
“I knew what level she would bring today. I think for the first set this week I had to find some new equipment to get through that one.”
Kartal has now beaten three British players in Shrewsbury this week after seeing off Hannah Klugman, Jodie Burrage and Xu, who reached the semi-finals of the US Open girls’ singles in New York last month.
Kartal is enjoying playing at the Shrewsbury Club again, a venue she remembers fondly after winning the UK Pro League title on the club’s indoor courts in 2021.
Kartal, who is currently just outside the world top 100, added: “When I look back, I feel like it’s kind of a stepping stone in my career. That threw me for a loop.
“I love this place and the tournament is going so well – the boys are doing a great job. I think a lot of players are looking forward to coming back here.”
Dodin moved into the last four with a 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 win over Oksana Selekhmeteva and a meeting against Kartal.
Dodin, a two-time Shrewsbury champion at lower level tournaments in 2014 and 2015, is ranked 94th in the world and reached the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier this year.
Watson, who, like Kartal, has not lost a set this week, celebrated a 7-6, 6-3 win over fourth-seeded French Chloe Paquet in the first round of 16 of the day.
Watson, the former world number 38 and currently just outside the top 150, said: “I’m very happy with my performance today, not necessarily with my tennis but more with the way I handled the match and with the way I stayed with her.” She was in the front.
“I just kept applying that pressure and increased my game and my concentration in those important moments.
“She is such a strong player, a strong competitor. She’s been in and around this ranking and top 100 for a long time and there’s a reason for that, so I knew I had to do my best.”
Watson was delighted with the support she received from the audience, adding: “The support has been great. I feel like every day they’re getting a little louder and a little more into it. So I hope everyone enjoys watching tennis and I definitely enjoy it when there are a lot of people there.”
On reaching the semi-finals, Watson said: “I’m very happy to be in the semi-finals. I think after Wimbledon I played a lot of matches and won quite a few matches. I think that’s reflected in my performances here and that’s just down to my match fitness and my confidence. Hopefully there will be more games to come.”
Waltert, who has a career-high of 107, secured a semifinal clash with Watson after impressively defeating sixth-seeded Ukrainian Daria Snigur 6-2, 6-2.
Today’s schedule also includes the second doubles semi-final, in which Maia Lumsden and Francisca Jorge will face Mingge Xu and Amelia Rajecki, with three British players also including Jorge from Portugal on the court.
The winners will face British players Hannah Klugman and Ranah Akua Stoiber in Sunday’s final after defeating Marina Melnikova and Lian Tran 6-0, 6-1 in the first semi-final last night.
Entry for spectators wanting to watch today’s games from the stands costs £22.50, which includes a 40-page tournament programme.
Tickets can be purchased on the tournament website.
Hear
Natalie Durkin brings us the latest W100 Shrewsbury action this Saturday morning.
Jake Foulger has the latest W100 Shrewsbury update for us this Saturday afternoon.
