By Erik Gudris | Saturday, April 5, 2014
One player entered this week unsure of herself. Another entered virtually unheard of. But now Andrea Petkovic and Jana Cepelova will face each other for the Charleston title.
Photo Credit: Christopher Levy
An unexpected final between Jana Cepelova and Andrea Petkovic is perhaps a fitting end to an unexpected week at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.
20-year-old Cepelova started off the bracket busting by upsetting World No. 1 and two-time defending champion Serena Williams on Tuesday. Not looking back, the young Slovakian marched into the semifinals where she faced an even younger player in 17-year-old Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.
READ - 10 Things Jana Cepelova
Bencic, the first qualifier ever to reach the Charleston semis, overcame dropping the first set to Cepelova by surging to a 5-2 lead in the second. Though the Swiss teen wavered in trying to serve out the set, she finally did so with an ace to close it out 7-5.
The final set became a swirling tempest of emotional outbursts and scorching ball striking from both players. Cepelova mixed in potent forehand winners with gritty defense from behind the baseline that often left Bencic throwing her racquet in disgust and dismay.
Down match point at 4-5, Bencic fired off a down the line backhand winner to pull back to deuce. Soon winning that game, Bencic would force a final set tiebreak.
The drama continued as Bencic jumped out to an early lead only to watch as Cepelova clawed back. Cepelova would miss out on two more match points by hitting the net. Finally, up 8-7 in the breaker, Cepelova forced Bencic to hit long one last time to give the Slovakian a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(7) victory.
Now into her first ever WTA final, Cepelova will have to prepare for it all alone. But she's taking traveling solo this week in stride.
"I am here alone, and physio from WTA is here, and they help during the match. And also, my family, my coach support me from our country during the match, and I feel it," Cepelova said. "And if I won't won like some very important points, I try to watch on camera and fight."
Petkovic Rallies Over Bouchard to Reach Final
Germany's Andrea Petkovic wasn't sure of herself or her game before the start of this week. But now she finds herself a win away from the biggest title of her career.
READ - Petkovic Happy With Coaching Changes
Taking on Eugenie Bouchard of Canada in the earlier semifinal, Petkovic found herself overwhelmed early. Despite Petkovic trying her best, she had few answers against Bouchard who hit winners from all sides of the court.
Soon enough, Bouchard wrapped up the 6-1 first set in 28 minutes.
With Bouchard the highest seed left in the event after wins over Venus Williams and Jelena Jankovic, the Canadian looked ready to reach the final. Petkovic started turning the corner after holding serve in a tough game for 3-all. Now playing more aggressive, Petkovic would break Bouchard and then run away with the set 6-3. Bouchard earned the initial break of the final set with a piercing forehand winner for 3-2.
But Bouchard started playing tentative tennis down the stretch allowing Petkovic to climb back eventually for 4-all. Bouchard saved one match point against her down 4-5 with yet another forehand winner. At 6-5, Bouchard served to force a tiebreak. Petkovic stepped up her game and soon held 0-40.
Forcing a final error from Bouchard, Petkovic celebrated the 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 win.
Sunday's final will be a first time meeting between Cepelova and Petkovic. Considered the favorite, Petkovic discussed her mindset.
"I will try to use my experience as a 26 year old here,” Petkovic said with a laugh. “No, the thing is I think for me is just to sort of keep focused on each point and not think about the outcome, not think about results, just stay in the moment and not think about who's on the other side, how old they are, and just try to keep on being in the momentum that I have right now."