German veteran Anna-Lena Friedsam takes on second seed Anhelina Kalinina in the semifinals of the WTA Angers Arena Loire Open on Saturday.
The 28-year-old has made it to the semifinals in back-to-back tournaments. Friedsam has been on song so far in the tournament and won all of her three matches in straight sets.
She began her campaign with a solid performance against Diane Parry. The Frenchwoman had no answer to the tactical masterclass dished out by Friedsam. The match eventually ended 6-3, 6-2 in favor of Friedsam. In the round of 16, Friedsam made light work of Magali Kempen in the first set. Parry made a strong comeback in the second set but couldn’t push the match into the third set. Friedsam won 6-1, 7-6 (10-8). In the quarterfinals, Friedsam produced a dominant display to outclass French qualifier Emeline Dartron 6-1, 6-2. The Neuwied-born Friedsam had a win percentage of 93 on the first serve.
The 25-year-old has also been in great form as of late and made her second consecutive semifinal. Like Friedsam, Kalinina has also won all her matches in straight sets.
In the round of 32, Kalinina produced a convincing performance to get the better of Katrina Scott 6-1, 6-2. The Ukrainian tennis star followed it up with another phenomenal win against former Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin. The match finished 6-4, 6-4 in favor of Kalinina. In the quarterfinals, Kalinina ended the 7-match winning streak of Clara Tauson with a professional performance. The match ended 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 in favor of Kalinina.
The head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 1-0 in favor of Anhelina Kalinina. She defeated Friedsam in straight sets at the 2021 Transylvania Open.
Prediction: Anhelina Kalinina to win in three sets.
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