Semi-Final Wrap: Wozniacki, Keys Unbothered in Straight-Setters

There’s something about Charleston for Caroline Wozniacki.

The Dane, champion here in 2011, is back into the final for the third time in her career (also 2009 runner-up) after a decisive 6-3 6-4 win over No. 16 seed Petra Martic on Saturday afternoon.

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She’ll player 2015 finalist Madison Keys, who was on fire – despite a rain delay – against Monica Puig in a 6-4 6-0 victory.

It’s a third meeting between Wozniacki and Keys, Caro having won the previous two, which were both played on hard courts. The most recent was at Indian Wells in 2017.

Wozniacki’s eight-year gap from 2011 to this year is the longest break between finals for any player in tournament history.

She moves to 19-4 on Daniel Island, the best of any player on tour.

The No. 5 seed has dropped just one set in four matches played, in the third round to Mihaela Buzarnescu. She has moved with increasing confident throughout the week, due in part thanks to Francesca Schiavone, the 2010 French Open champ that she has brought onto her team for the week.

“I just think I’ve had a positive attitude this week, and I think I’ve played some smart tennis, and have managed to return a lot of balls deep and then try and open up the court,” Wozniacki told reporters.

Keys and Puig, playing the second semifinal, were on serve at 3-4 the Puerto Rican serving when rain began to fall on Volvo Car Stadium. They left court for just over an hour.

When they returned, however, Puig could manage just one out of the next nine games played. Keys was on fire, and the reward is a second trip to the final.

“I’m focused on myself,” Keys said. “I’m really proud of what I’ve done this week and how I’ve bounced back from a couple tough losses. So I’m just going to go out and try to have some fun.”

In doubles, Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Alicja Rosolska have booked their spot in the final after a 6-1 6-2 drubbing of Anna-Lena Friedsam and Sara Sorribes Tormo.

They’ll play Irina Khromacheva and Veronika Kudermetova, the Russian duo who has paired up for the first time, in the final.