Dutch Open: Defending champion Alexandrova moves into final

Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, the No 4 seed, reached the final of the Dutch Open by beating Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich, the No 7 seed, 6-1, 7-6 (1) at the Autotron Rosmalen in’s-Hertogenbosch on Saturday.

Alexandrova, ranked No 26, will play the winner of the match between Russian Veronika Kudermetova, the top seed, and Slovak Viktoria Hruncakova next as she looks to defend the title she won last year.

Only Tamarine Tanasugran has successfully defended her title at the tournament, in 2008 and 2009.

Alexandrova has yet to drop a set this week – indeed, at the tournament she has now won 18 sets in a row – and her first set in this semi-final was exemplary. She scored the only ace, but also won 63 per cent of her points on serve compared to her opponent’s 35 per cent, plus took all three of her break point opportunities.

1⃣8⃣ SETS IN A ROW 🔥

Defending champion Ekaterina Alexandrova is back in the @LibemaOpen final! #LibemaOpen pic.twitter.com/VfRX9oTQO2

— wta (@WTA) June 17, 2023

Ahead of her victory, the Russian won against Evgeniya Rodina (6-3, 6-4), Australian Kimberly Birrell (6-4, 7-6 (3)) and American qualifier Emina Bektas (6-4, 6-4).

Sasnovich, ranked No 71, won against Italian Lucrezia Stefanini (6-0, 6-3), Belgian Greet Minnen (6-2, 4-6, 6-3) and Russian Liudmila Samsonova, the second seed (7-6 (4), 3-1 ret.) earlier in the tournament.

‘s-Hertogenbosch WTA 250, other semi-final result (Autotron Rosmalen, grass, USD 259.303):

• Veronika Kudermetova vs. Viktoria Hruncakova