(June 21, 2013) -- It has been a long week of firsts for American
Jamie Hampton, who now finds herself a win away from her first ever WTA title at Eastbourne.
Hampton came through qualifying at this week's Aegon International and got past top seed
Agnieszka Radwanska for her first ever top-five win. That win propelled her into today's semifinals against a former winner of the event in No. 5 seed
Caroline Wozniacki.
In a nearly three-hour match with multiple momentum changes, it was Wozniacki who edged past Hampton in a tight first set tiebreaker. Wozniacki found herself serving for the match at 6-5 in the second set and was a mere two points away from victory.
But the more aggressive play from Hampton saw her break Wozniacki's serve and eventually take the set to force a deciding third set.
Both players stayed level with each other in the third set until a rash of errors from Wozniacki gave Hampton another break. Hampton didn't let go of her advantage and soon claimed the 6-7(8), 7-5, 6-3 win.
Hampton forced the issue all match, and it was evident in her final stats. The American hit 55 winners and 48 unforced errors.
Based on her results this week at Eastbourne, Hampton is projected to rise within the WTA top 25 and become the No. 3 ranked American woman.
Waiting for Hampton in tomorrow's finals will be Russia's Elena Vesnina, who easily dismissed Yanina Wickmayer 6-2, 6-0.
Flipkens Takes On Halep In Den Bosch Finals
At the Topshelf Open, No. 4 seed Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium will aim for her first title of the season. Flipkens beat Spanish qualifier Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 6-1 in the their semifinal.
Simona Halep also advanced into the finals with a 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 3 seed Carla Suarez Navarro.