By Chris Oddo | Friday May 18, 2018
Defending Internazionali BNL d’Italia champion Elina Svitolina notched her sixth consecutive win over Angelique Kerber to book her spot in the semifinals at Rome on Friday.
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The Ukrainian improves to 8-5 lifetime against Kerber and 23-6 on the season with her win, which lasted one hour and 26 minutes and saw her claim five of eight break points against the No.11 seed.
Svitolina has kick-started her clay season in Rome after going just 2-2 at Madrid and Stuttgart. Last year she went 15-3 on clay and won the title in Rome before reaching the quarterfinal at Roland Garros.
Svitolina was down 4-2 in set one but responded by reeling off the next four games to take control.
"I had to really step up and play really aggressive in important moments," Svitolina said after the match, according to WTATennis.com. "That's what was the key for today. I played really good on the important points. That's what made a difference."
Despite struggling on serve in the second set, Svitolina ended a run of five consecutive breaks to hold for 4-2 and did not falter again on serve after that. She clinched the victory with a forehand winner, her 29th of the contest.
Svitolina lost three of her first four matches at Rome but has now won eight straight dating back to last season. She will face either Caroline Wozniacki or Anett Kontaveit in the semis.