Top seeds Martic, Kontaveit squeeze out victories in Palermo Open Day 4

Petra Martic and Anett Kontaveit, the top two remaining seeds at the Palermo Ladies Open, squeezed away with two comeback wins during Day 4’s action.

The Palermo Ladies Open has now confirmed the final eight competitors with today’s four Round of 16 matches.

4th-seeded Anna Kontaveit led the way for the final four matches of the Round of 16, getting off to a slow start before settling in and taking the match over Laura Siegemund. Coming off of a 6-3, 6-3 win over Patricia Maria Tig in the first round, she looked to struggle getting out of the gate against her opponent.

The World #22 lost 9 of the first 11 points to fall behind 2-0 before bouncing back and taking her first game of the match after a quick hold at 1-all. She then broke at love to even the set at 2. It seemed Kontaveit would notch her second straight comfortable victory.

Unfortunately, it’d be the last time she’d had the edge in the set; she lost four of the next five games and was broken twice on her way to a 4-6 first set loss. Although Siegemund went 2-for-7 converting break points from the 2-all point of the match, she was able to effectively keep the set in her favor. She was extremely effective on the first serve, winning 11-of-14 serving and 11-for-20 on the return.

It was key for Kontaveit to open the second set well and she did just that. She bounced back from a 40-15 deficit in the opening game and broke her opponent to take it. She followed that up with a quick hold and a break at love to give her a 3-0. Siegemund was able to power through and take the next two games, firstly with a break of serve (where she held all three potential game points before taking the third) and a quick hold shortly after. Kontaviet wouldn’t let Siegemund get any closer in the set and won the final three games of the set to take it 6-3.

The 22-year-old Kontaveit showed why she was ultimately the better player than her veteran opponent. She continued on her hot streak, taking 3 of the first four games while only facing one break point. She had an opportunity to extend her lead at 30-40 but couldn’t convert. She was able to take the final three games en route to a 6-2 third set victory. Siegemund made it interesting, making Kontaveit work for her victory. Finally, on her fifth match point, she put the match away.

Siegemund’s inability to convert first serves into points was her downfall in the final two points. Her percentage of points won on her first serve dropped to 43 and 65% in comparison to her first set margin. Kontaveit’s serve was also increasingly effective and peaked with a 3-ace performance in the final set. She’ll look to advance to her first semifinal since her 2nd-place finish at last April’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.

Match of the Day

Grittiness has easily been the most important factor for success at this tournament. Quarterfinalist Sara Errani has shown it first-hand with two comeback wins in the tournament. Aliaksandra Sasnovich has won five matches in five days and is showing no signs of slowing down.

#1-seeded Petra Martic needed some grit to get out of a tough match against qualifier Liudmilla Samsonova. The two began the match with 11 straight holds of serve and only had three break point chances combined (Samsonova at 2-1, Martic at 2-all and 4-all). The match kicked into high gear at 5-4. Samsonova led and was up 0-40 in the game with three opportunities to take the set. She squandered all three of them to bring the game to deuce. She took all three of the next deuce points but failed to convert on those, as well. Martic finally closed the door on another set point opportunity, taking the game to force the set to 5-all.

A 30-40 break point opportunity for Martic was quickly lost and would’ve given her the opportunity to serve for the set. Samsonova held and again faced three set point chances. She finally ended her slide by winning her sixth set point. Martic saved her first 9 break points but it was the tenth that did her in and put her a set down.

The second set was equally as tough and Martic was forced to kick her grit and toughness into overdrive in order to stay in the match. A fast 2-0 start was the key turning point for Martic to gain some momentum. Samsonova didn’t stay down for long and evened the match at 4-all with a clutch break of serve at love. The top seed wasn’t having any of it, however; she broke right back at love to take a 5-4 advantage with a shot to bring the match to one set apiece. She faced two break points at 15-40 but was able to overcome both points before needed only one set point. The match was even, 5-7, 6-4, but Martic was starting to tip the scales in her favor.

The third set was all Martic; she didn’t face a break point in her four games on serve and converted on both of her break point chances at 1-all and 4-2. A quick hold, including a match-sealing ace to deliver the final blow.

"“I’ve got two matches now, I’ve fought and I’ve played good, I’ve played bad, I experienced it all,” Martic explained. “I feel like I’m going to be ready.”"

The top-seeded Croatian will face the red-hot Sasnovich in the quarterfinals.

Other notable results

Hometown favorite, Camilla Giorgi, won in the now “Classic Italian” way: a three-set comeback victory. Today, she took down Kaja Juvan 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 and will face 7th-seed Dayana Yastremska for a spot in the semifinals.

Day 4 – Full match results

(4) Annett Kontaveit def. Laura Siegemund 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

(1) Petra Martic def.  Liudmilla Samsonova 5-7, 6-4, 6-2

Camilla Giorgi def. Kaja Juvan 3-6, 6-2, 6-4

(7) Dayana Yastremska def. Oceane Dodin 6-2, 6-4

Day 5 (Quaterfinals) Match Schedule – August 7th

*All matches on Centre Court*

4 pm CEST: (1) Petra Martic vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich

5:15 pm CEST:  (4) Annett Kontaveit vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto

6:30 pm CEST: Fiona Ferro vs Sara Errani

7:45 pm CEST: (7) Dayana Yastremska vs Camilla Giorgi