Former world No.15 Julia Goerges has reached her first WTA final since 2012 after defeating Austrian qualifier Tamira Paszek 6-4, 6-2, at the ASB Classic.
The German is currently ranked 122 places higher than Paszek at 50th in the world. Nevertheless, despite the gap in the rankings, the majority of the first set were a close encounter between both players with no break points occurring in the first nine games. Proceedings then rapidly unravelled for Paszek on the court. As Georges lead 5-4, the Austrian produced a poor service game, which consisted of three unforced errors, to hand the German the opening set.
During the early part of the second set Paszek called for a trainer for treatment of her lower back before resuming their match. Georges started to lay down her dominance against a tiring Austrian as she broke once more to lead 3-1 in the second set. Paszek did respond by breaking back immediately, however, her service games proved too problematic for her. Georges took full advantage of her opponents poor second serve as she claimed 7/8 of Paszek’s second service points. Breaking three consecutive times, Goerges took the match with a blistering crosscourt forehand.
The German produced 7 aces, converted 4/6 break points and won 57% of her first service points to reach her first final on the WTA tour since the 2012 Linz Open. Georges spoke of her delight following her win.
“I must say it feels good to be in a final again after such a long time,” The world No.50 said.
“Overall it was a very good match from my side. I played very aggressive, served decent in the first set, the second set there wasn’t a good percentage of first serves.”
Gorges will have to wait until Saturday to see who her final opponent will be. Top seed Caroline Wozniacki trailed 2-5 to Sloane Stephens before her match was postponed due to rain. In the early stages of the match, Wozniacki was bombarded with a display of outstanding shots from Stephens. The American broke the top seed twice to generate an early lead before the rain halted her momentum. The semifinal clash is scheduled to resume at 1030am (local time) on Saturday.
If Georges is triumphant in her final, she will clinch her first title since 2011. Despite a positive week at the New Zealand tournament, the 27-year-old has admitted that she faces a tough task against either player in the final.
“I’ve played Sloane twice so far, once on hardcourt, once on clay and it’s 1-1,” Goerges said.
“She is one of the most talented players on the tour and is a good player. She’s been in the semifinal of a Grand Slam and has beat Serena.
“It’s going to be a tough match, it doesn’t matter who is on the other side.
“Both of them are great players, especially Caroline, she’s been No 1 for two years in a row and that doesn’t happen for no reason.” She concluded.
