It’s Quarterfinals Day @FamilyCircleCup!
Kristi Tredway for Tennis Atlantic
Today’s singles matchups at the Family Circle Cup offer surprises and potential classics.
First up is an American battle, Madison Keys, the #7 seed, versus Lauren Davis. Davis benefited from the retirement of Mona Barthel, the #15 seed, while leading 6-4 3-0, in the third round. Madison Keys has had a relatively easy route to the quarterfinals. She defeated Andreea Mitu in the third round 6-2 6-0. In press, Davis proclaimed that she knew Keys’ game “like the back of my hand.” Keys, unsurprisingly, didn’t take this very well and it has probably fueled her motivation to beat Davis.
The second matchup today will feature Sara Errani, the #4 seed, versus the surprise qualifier Lucie Hradecka. Hradecka defeated Caroline Garcia, the #8 seed, in a marathon in the third round, 5-7 7-5 6-4. Errani also survived a bit of a marathon yesterday. She defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2 5-7 6-2.
The third quarterfinal match features the defending champion and #3 seed Andrea Petkovic, now the highest seed remaining, against the qualifier Danka Kovinic. Kovinic received a gift from her longtime mentor Jelena Jankovic, the #6 seed, who withdrew before their match with a right foot injury. Petkovic avenged her loss to Madison Brengle in the first round of the 2015 Australian Open, their only prior meeting, beating her 6-4 6-4.
The final quarterfinal match will feature Angelique Kerber, the #5 seed, against Irina-Camelia Begu, the #13 seed. Kerber defeated Lara Arruabarrena, the player who knocked Sam Stosur out in a 2-hour marathon, 6-3 6-0. Begu received a walkover from Ekaterina Makarova, the #2 seed, who withdrew after her second round win due to a gastrointestinal illness.
Tennis Atlantic 