Top seed Venus Williams overcame problems with her own serve to defeat Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova 7-5, 6-2, in the quarterfinals of the Taiwan Open.
In a windy Kaohsiung, the 35-year-old only managed to get 43% of her first serves in during the first set. The problem with the American’s service game allowed Sevastova to open up a 5-2 lead. The Latvian had two chances take the opening set, but failed to convert either set point as Williams battled back to level 5-5. The recovery from the top seed continued as Williams held her serve for only the third time of the match to edge ahead 6-5. The golden opportunity for the world No.103 had gone as Williams extended her winning streak to five games to clinch the opening set after 44 minutes.
Fortunately for Williams and her allegiance of fans, the second set was more straightforward with the world No.12 breaking Sevastova on three occasions to booked a place in the last four. The top seed only faced two break points during the second set, fending off one of them, compared to five in the first set. Williams eventually sealed the match after an hour and 14 minutes of play.
In her quarterfinal triumph, Williams managed to get only 47% of her first serves in, however, the 35-year-old won 57% of her total service points. In addition, the American also converted 7/10 break points.
The victory over Sevastova has booked Williams a last four meeting with third seed Yulia Putintseva. The Kazak world No.64 moved to the last four after her quarterfinal opponent, Stefanie Voegele, retired after the first set. The reason for Voegele’s retirement is unclear, however, Swiss website srf.ch has reported that the Swiss player had had ‘a sore chest’ in recent weeks. Williams has beaten Putintseva twice before on the tour at the 2014 Canadian Open and the 2015 Wimbledon Championships.
There was home delight at the tournament when sixth seed Hsieh Su-wei dropped only two games in her last eight encounter. Playing against the Russian world No.95 Elizaveta Kulichkova, the 30-year-old won eight consecutive games before allowing her opponent to get a game on the scoreboard. During the dominating 54-minute match, the world No.81 won 58% of service points and 70% of return points to seal the 6-0,6-2, victory.
Next up for the home favorite will be Japanese second seed Misaki Doi. Doi reached progressed to the semifinals after her scheduled opponent, Kurumi Nara, withdrew from the match.
