Hobart International: Cocciaretto beats Kenin to reach first WTA final

Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto advanced to the first WTA level final of her career at the Hobart International by beating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 at the Domain Tennis Centre on Friday.

Cocciaretto, ranked No 67, will face the winner of the second semi-final between Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova and American qualifier Lauren Davis.

Earlier in the tournament, the 21-year-old Italian had defeated Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, the No 3 seed (6-4, 6-2), Jasmine Paolini (6-2, 6-1) and American Bernarda Pera, the No 6 seed (5-7, 7-6 (8), 6-4).

The win is also expected to help her break into the world’s top 50 next week, which will be a new peak ranking for her.

Kenin, ranked No 280, defeated Chinese Lin Zhu (6-2, 6-2), Belgian qualifier Maryna Zanevska (6-2, 6-3) and Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, the No 5 seed (4-6, 6-3, 6-1) earlier in the week to score three consecutive wins for the first time since the 2021 French Open.

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