Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open: Krueger reaches maiden WTA 500 Final

American Ashlyn Krueger won against Linda Noskova 7-6 (2), 6-4 to move into the final of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City on Friday afternoon.

The first set saw both players trade breaks, with Noskova gaining the first advantage at 2-2, before another extended game at 4-3 on her serve would prove too much to handle. In the tie-break, Kruger was simply dominant, claiming two mini-breaks and not relinquishing any service points of her own – winning five of the last six points to claim the set 7-6.

Whilst in the second, the American broke Noskova in her first and third service games – only slipping up during her first attempt at serving out the match at 5-2. However, at 5-4, she had a far more comfortable game and put herself into her first WTA 500 final.

Krueger, ranked No 51, will play the winner of the match between Kazakh Elena Rybakina, the top seed, and Swiss wildcard Belinda Bencic next.

The 20-year-old American defeated qualifier McCartney Kessler (6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3), Russian Daria Kasatkina, the No 3 seed (1-6, 7-5, 6-4) and Canadian Leylah Fernandez, the No 8 seed (7-5, 4-6, 6-2) ahead of her victory.

In the previous rounds of the Abu Dhabi tournament, Noskova, ranked No 39, beat Pole Magdalena Frech (6-0, 6-3), Spaniard Paula Badosa, the second seed (6-4, 6-1) and Pole Magda Linette (6-4, 6-3).

Abu Dhabi WTA 500, other semi-final result (International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, hard, USD 1.064.510):

• Elena Rybakina vs. Belinda Bencic