Krejcikova books spot in Tallinn final – beating Bencic on SIXTH match point

Czech Barbora Krejcikova, the No 7 seed, advanced to the final of the Tallinn Open by beating Swiss Belinda Bencic, the second seed, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 6-2 at the Forus Tennis Centre on Saturday.

In a three-hour, 20-minute battle, Krejcikova took her sixth match point – on the Bencic serve – to take the win and reach her first final since January.

“I think it was amazing tennis from both sides,” she said afterwards.

“I’m really happy that I was able to play to such a high level. It’s always very nice to play against Belinda, we’ve known each other since we were ten years old – very old times!”

Krejcikova, ranked No 27, will play Anett Kontaveit in the final.

“It will be very special – it’s amazing for the tournament there will be one side from Estonia,” Krejcikova added.

Earlier in the tournament, the Czech won against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic (6-1, 7-6 (3)), Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk (7-5, 6-3) and Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, the No 3 seed (6-3, 6-4).

Bencic, ranked No 14, defeated Estonian wildcard Elena Malygina (6-0, 6-2), qualifier Katie Boulter (6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-3) and Croat Donna Vekic (6-4, 6-1) in the previous rounds.

Tallinn WTA 250, other semi-final match:

• Anett Kontaveit vs. Kaia Kanepi