Czech sensation Sara Bejlek has stunned the tennis world by reaching her first WTA 1000 semi-final, where she will face American Coco Gauff. Bejlek's remarkable run includes upsets of world number one Aryna Sabalenka and major champions Barbora Krejcikova.
Sara Bejlek, 20, is an unseeded player who has now beaten three major champions on her way to the last four. She has won her first two WTA titles, including the Abu Dhabi Open in February.
Bejlek's quarter-final victory over Madison Keys was a thrilling comeback. Down a set and trailing 3-1 in the second set, Bejlek won five of the next six games to level the match. She then fought back from 4-2 down in the decisive tie-break to win in two hours and 37 minutes.
The world number 35 said, "We had a kind of big talk with my team a couple of weeks ago, and since that moment I feel that it's going quite well and I'm getting better in the believing in myself and improving also physically on the court."
Gauff's semi-final spot is her third consecutive appearance in the last four. She beat 10th-seeded Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-2 to secure her place.
Gauff has changed her tactics, opting to go to the net more, which is paying off. "I didn't realize how good I was at it until Wimbledon," Gauff said. "Everyone has been telling me to come to the net more. Actually, Chris Evert has been texting me sometimes to come to the net more. And I tell her yeah, I'm going to, and then I just don't. I finally did at Wimbledon and I won so many points that way."
The 19-year-old American has been reaping rewards from her new approach. "And obviously here, there's just a big difference when you're able to finish the point at the net," Gauff added.
The final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open, is just around the corner, with the tournament set to start in New York on 30 August.
Source: Yahoo Sports