Paris smiles at Safarova - 18e Open GDF SUEZ - 2010 - Tennis Féminin

Flavia Pennetta and Lucie Safarova both built an irresistible game on Friday against Tathiana Garbin and Shahar Peer. This first semi-final should be pretty juicy if the two champions are as spunky as they were yesterday. And since they spent less than an hour on the court in the quarter-finals, they could easily be fresh for this match. The only worry is the bandage on Lucie Safarova's thigh. Prevention or pain? Lucie Safarova doesn't appear to be suffering and seems just as punchy early in this game as she has been all throughout the tournament, with a love game to get things going. Off to a good start from the beginning, Safarova leads like she did in the third game, won after a long and aggressive exchange ending in a fault by the Italian (2-1). But Pennetta snaps back. And when a new hind court duel breaks out, this time she has the last word, saving two break points before winning her serve (2-2) At 3-all the Italian grabs two break points and wins the second set  (4-3)

The game is so tight that one wonders it this advantage could decide the outcome the first set. Bingo! With two aces, Pennetta wins her service game and keeps her lead before serving several minutes to win the set (6-4). Finalist here in 2007, Safarova hasn't had her last word. Still just as ambitious and efficient in her variations, she makes an early break. Pennetta throws down her racket. Not as sharp, the World N° 12 is too hesitant and pays for it hind court. After an exchange of two breaks, she collapses. And has the worst time climbing back into the score. Soon led 5-2, the Italian gleans another set before giving in to the aggressive Czech, who naturally wins this second 6-3.

This calls for a third set, the first since the beginning of the week for both players. The number one Italian must change her tactic if she doesn't want to get the same treatment as in the preceding set. The playing level steps up a notch as proven by Pennetta's charge to the net, trapped by a short cross-court volley by her opponent after she thought that she'd been through the hardest part. Aggressive, she continues her efforts. And she had better do just that, to respond to her opponent. After 1h30 of play, the two players are neck and neck (3-3). At 4 games all, Flavia Pennetta is sanctioned by an early double fault. She contests the judge's decision. But this is not the time to let go. Across the net, Lucie Safarova is still just as calm. With perfect returns, the left hander grabs the first and last break point of the third set. The 2007 finalist won't miss her chance to validate her ticket for the final. A victory in three sets: 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.