By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday April 23, 2021
Marty Kostyuk defeated Ana Konjuh in three tough sets to take her place in the Istanbul semis.
Photo Source: Gökhan Taner/ Istanbul Open
After a strong start to the 2021 season, 18-year-old Marta Kostyuk is finding her form again. The teenager topple resurgent Croatian Ana Konjuh, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to set a semifinal date with Sorana Cirstea at the Istanbul Open.
"Ana is an amazing player, she's been Top 20 I think, and it's a big achievement,” Kostyuk said. “I fought for this win, so it was a very close game, so I mean obviously it's important to win matches like this especially for the confidence and for the experience."
The 18-year-old improves to 8-4 on the season, 3-0 on clay and 3-1 in three-setters. She impressively took down Daria Kasatkina in straight sets in her second-round match.
Konjuh, who is still making her way back to the tour after four surgeries to her right arm, was playing her first WTA quarterfinal since 2017.
Mertens Sets Kudermetova Clash
Elise Mertens took out Katerina Siniakova, 6-4 6-4, to reach the semifinals. The top-seeded Belgian will square off with Volvo Car Open champion Veronika Kudermetova. The Russian edged Ana Bogdan 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 for her eighth consecutive victory on Friday.