‘I think my serving was key for the match,’ says Elina Svitolina after reaching Monterrey semi-final

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Elina Svitolina

Elina Svitolina produced a solid serving display to beat up and coming youngster Leylah Fernandez in the quarter-final of the Monterrey Open.

The top seed won 77 percent of points off her first serve and served five aces as she beat the teenager 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 38 minutes.

The Ukrainian dominated the first set and eventually got the break in game seven while the second set was a closer affair with Fernandez managing to eke out five break point opportunities in game six, but Svitolina saved them all and then got the deciding break in game 12.

“I served well throughout the match,” the world No 7 said after reaching her first semi-final of 2020. “I saved a few break points which was really important in the second set. I think my serving tonight was the key for the match, and I’ll try to keep it up for the next ones.”

She added: “I was serving really well today, and for me it was important to be on my toes all the time, because I know [Fernandez] can start the point really well. I tried to stay positive and take one ball at a time.”

Svitolina will face Arantxa Rus in the last four after the Dutchwoman upset sixth seed Rebecca Peterson of Sweden 6-1, 6-1.

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Elina Svitolina

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