Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia was all smiles as she reached the semi-finals of the BMW Malaysian Open 2015 when she managed to overcome a defiant World No 57 Kurumi Nara of Japan over three sets 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
This east meets west quarterfinal clash took place on Centre Court at The Royal Selangor Golf Club and was the first meeting between these two players. Jarmila started strongly as she fought point for point with Nara before managing to take the first set 6-4. Then rain interrupted the match before the second set could be played. By the time the match resumed, it was nightfall and the floodlights came on to light Centre Court and keep the action going.
In the second set Nara stepped up her game and fought hard for each and every point against her Australian opponent to take the second set 6-3 and push the game into the third set. In the third set however, Gajdosova knew she had her work cut out for her as she fought back and refused to let her Japanese opponent dictate the rhythm of the game. Gajdosova took the third set 6-4 for a hard fought match to win to advance to her first semi-final of 2015.
Gajdosova commented, “I had a good first set against a very tough opponent. The rain disrupted the match, stretching it a lot longer than I had expected. This quarterfinal match was the first match I played at night as I played my earlier two matches during the day. After the second set, I got back into my element and I hit a lot tougher and stronger while limiting myself from committing too many unforced errors to beat Nara.”
On her semi-final clash with Romanian World No 94 Alexandra Dulgheru who she has already played twice this year at the Australian Open and the Qatar Total Open, Gajdosova was upbeat about her chances of going all the way to the final. “Playing against Dulgheru will be difficult as she is a tough opponent who is on form in this tournament. We always play well against each other and we seem to bring the best out of each other. She’s a really nice girl and I look forward to playing her as it will definitely be a very good match.”
Gajdosova continued by saying, “I feel good and I’m excited to be in my first semi-final of the year and as a seeded player at that. I’m just excited to be back and doing well at one of my favourite tournaments that I regard as a home tournament for me. I will stick to my game plan and hopefully it will be good enough for me to win. I will try to relax and just enjoy playing the best I can.”
In another quarterfinal clash that took place on Court 2, World No 181 Hsieh Su-Wei of Chinese-Taipei continued he fine run in the tournament as she booked her place in the semi-finals by beating young and upcoming Russian World No 171 ElizavetaKulichkova in three sets 7-6, 4-6, 6-0.
Hsieh, who won the BMW Malaysian Open back in 2012, was very happy to reach her first semi-final of the year as well. “Kulichkova is a very good player and she is one to watch for the future. She hit hard and made me run all over the court chasing the ball. Luckily for me, I still had energy left within me to withstand her onslaught, and by the time we got to the third set, she had quite a few double faults and unforced errors which enabled me to win the match.”
In the semi-finals, Hsieh will be facing top seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark who defeated another young and upcoming player in the form of Carina Witthoeft of Germany in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. Hsieh was unfazed about facing Wozniacki in the semi-finals, as she said, “Playing against the top players is always tough, so I won’t be thinking about who I am playing against. I will concentrate on bringing my best game to court and enjoy playing in the semi-final.”
The tennis action continues to heat up on the hard courts of The Royal Selangor Golf Club as both singles and doubles players battle it out in the final stages of the tournament in their quest for the coveted titles. Stay tuned for all the tennis action happening right here at the BMW Malaysian Open 2015.
Admission is free for the BMW Malaysian Open from the start of the qualifying rounds on February 28th, 2015 until March 4, 2015. Tickets are priced between RM33-RM73 from March 6th to 8th, 2015 respectively.
For more ticketing information, visit www.ticketcharge.com.my or call +603-92228811.
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