Open semifinals! It was 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 for the crowd’s favorite from Cluj, who won not only the match of the tournament but also one of the best matches of the WTA beginning of the year: almost three and a half hours tennis-spectacle, to which Arantxa Rus, the 1st favorite of the tournament, also contributed fully.
Ana Bogdan and Jaqueline Cristian will play on Saturday for a place in the final of the Transylvania Open, a tournament that had a Romanian in the final – Gabi Ruse – as well, in the previous edition.
For Ana Bogdan, this result can mean a lot: she wanted to get a good result in Cluj for a long time. She didn’t get it when she was at her best, but she’s getting it now when she came to TO without high expectations.
Perhaps exactly for this reason, Ana Bogdan found the strength to come back every time during this match.
“I hope I can talk. You guys were incredible, and these moments will forever remain in my heart. A victory like this, at home, where I fought to the last point, in this atmosphere, it’s incredible! I didn’t stop believing in myself and fighting. I took in every point and all I could tell myself was that I can do everything I set my mind to if I play with my soul – and that’s what I did until the end. I still can’t believe it!”, said Ana, with tears in her eyes, during the field interview.
“I think everybody wanted two Romanian players in the semifinal, it’s a shame that it’s not the final, but I am really happy that I will be playing again tomorrow (Saturday) and I await you with the same energy, for both of us. All I wish for is to enjoy each point that I’ll make here”, said Ana as well.
Ana Bogdan and Jaqueline Cristian met two times until now. Both of the matches were won by Bogdan, the last time in Parma, last year, a victory after three sets.
In the other semifinal, Harriet Dart will play against the winner of the Karolina Pliskova – Sara Errani match.