World number 19, Elina Svitolina of Ukraine will meet sixth seed Eugenie Bouchard of Canada in the final of
the 2016 BMW Malaysian Open on Sunday.
Svitolina, 21, beat the only qualifier left in the tournament, Zhu Lin of China 6-3, 6-3 in a match that lasted 61 minutes at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, today.
"I expected a good match. Zhu started well…it was a pretty tough start for me and I knew that I really needed to focus and wait for my opportunities.
"It did not affect me when she broke my serve in the first game of the second set. I was just thinking about my game. I felt I needed to push her harder in the second set and it worked as I won five games in the row," said Svitolina.
She said her win over Zhu was one of her best matches this season, after she fought hard in the second round and quarterfinal to make good comebacks.
For the record, Svitolina has won seven singles and two doubles tittles in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Circuit, three singles and two doubles tittles in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tour, respectively.
Bouchard, currently ranked 52 in the world, defeated Briton Naomi Broady 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinal round that took only 76 minutes, today.
"My game is always aggresive. I couldn't attack her in the first serve, she was an amazing server. She's serving pretty fast and also very accurate. I just try to get the first serve in the court and besides that I still have the opportunity to be aggressive.
"I think I was more solid and consistent than her today. I try to improve different areas of my game, so I feel like I have improved already since last week and for me that's my goal right now," said former number five Bouchard.
According to the WTA website, Svitolina had beaten Bouchard three times in the 2013 Indian Wells Open, Miami Open and 2015 Western & Southern Open, respectively.
In the doubles, Varatchaya Wongteanchai of Thailand/Yang Zhaoxuan of China will meet doubles' first seed, Liang Chen/Wang Yafan of China in the final tomorrow.
Following are the results of the 2016 BMW Malaysian Open:
Women's Singles semifinals round
Elina Svitolina (UKR) bt Zhu Lin (CHN) 6-3, 6-3
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) bt Naomi Broady (GBR) 6-4, 6-3
Women's Doubles semifinals round
Varatchaya Wongteanchai (THA)/Yang Zhaoxuan (CHN) bt Zarina Diyas (KAZ)/Xu Yi-Fun (CHN) 6-4, 6-4
Bernama
Sat Mar 05 2016
Svitolina during her match against Zhu Lin at the KLGCC on Saturday. - BERNAMApic
Kampung Tanjung Kala residents affected by flooded bridge every time it rains heavily
Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.
Thai court rejects petition over ex-PM Thaksin's political influence
Thailand's Constitutional Court rejects a petition seeking to stop Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the running the Pheu Thai party.
Abidin takes oath of office as Sungai Bakap assemblyman
The State Assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Abidin Ismail, was sworn in today at the State Assembly building, Lebuh Light.
UPNM cadet officer charged with injuring junior, stomping on him with spike boots
A cadet officer at UPNM pleaded not guilty to a charge of injuring his junior by stomping on the victim's stomach with spike boots.
How Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's alleged bribery scheme took off and unraveled
The indictment was unsealed on Nov. 20, prompting a $27 billion plunge in Adani Group companies' market value.