Dubai: Second seed Klara Koukalova from the Czech Republic will meet sixth seed Cagla Buyukakcay of Turkey in the singles final of the 18th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge at the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa on Saturday.
In Friday’s two semi-finals, Koukalova got the better of third seeded Alexandra Panova of Russia in straight sets 7-6 (3), 6-3, while sixth seed Buyukakcay once again fought back from a set down to beat seventh seed Ipek Soylu in an all-Turkey semi-final.
In the first semi-finals, Panova matched Koukalova at the onset to be tied 3-3. The Czech then broke for the first time and held for a 5-3 lead, only to see Panova take the next three games and force the tie-breaker.
In the second set, Koukalova was more clinical and two early breaks put the Czech in command at 5-1. However, her Russia opponent was in no mood to give in easily as she broke once only to see Koukalova wrap up set and match in an hour and 45 minutes.
The second semi-final was an even more engrossing one as Buyukakcay fought back from a set down. In Thursday’s quarter-finals too the Turkish girl had done well to dump defending champion and top seed Alexandra Dulgheru in three sets.
On Friday, once again Soylu had a solid start taking the first set 7-5. But Buyukakcay once again came up with a flurry of groundstrokes that her Turkish opponent and friend found difficult to handle as she eased through 6-2, 6-1 and set a final against Koukalova.
Results of the singles semi-finals at the 18th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge being held at the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa:
Klara Koukalova [2] bt Alexandra Panova [3] 7-6 (3), 6-3;
Cagla Buyukakcay [6] bt Ipek Soylu [7] 5-7, 6-2, 6-1.
