San Diego: Kostyuk battles past Pavlyuchenkova to book semi-final clash against Pegula

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, the No 6 seed, advanced to the semi-finals of the San Diego Open by winning against Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the No 4 seed, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 at the Barnes Tennis Center on Friday.

The match was interrupted by a rain shower with Kostyuk leading 4-2 in the final set but the Ukrainian did not let that interrupt her rhythm. The win levels the head-to-head between the two at 1-1 after Pavlyuchenkova won their clash in Doha earlier this year with Kostyuk retiring early in the first set there.

Kostyuk, ranked No 34, will face Jessica Pegula, the top seed, next. The American holds a 2-0 lead over Kostyuk in their head-to-head series.

Ahead of her win today, the 21-year-old Ukrainian defeated American qualifier Ann Li (6-4, 4-6, 6-2) and Australian wildcard Taylah Preston (6-4, 6-3).

Pavlyuchenkova, ranked No 25, won against Chinese Xinyu Wang (4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2) in the previous round of the San Diego tournament.

San Diego WTA 500, other quarter-final results (Barnes Tennis Center, hard, USD 922,573):

• Jessica Pegula beat Anna Blinkova: 6-1, 2-6, 6-2
• Emma Navarro (3) beat Daria Saville (Q): 6-4, 6-2
• Katie Boulter beat Donna Vekic (7): 6-4, 6-3

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