In a stunning upset on Friday, Claire Liu defeated eighth seed Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 7-5, 6-4 at the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest.
Ranked 88th in the world, Claire Liu had never defeated a top-100 player until this tournament. Despite this, she showed incredible form and determination, firing on all cylinders against Schmiedlova, delivering five aces and saving nine of twelve break points.
Advancing to the semifinals, Liu awaits the winner of the match between Alison Riske and Tamara Zidansek.
The match’s detailed analysis reveals a strong start from Liu, securing the first three games. Schmiedlova, however, fought back, leveling the score at 5-5. Liu’s breakthrough came in the 12th game, breaking Schmiedlova’s serve to clinch the first set 7-5. In the second set, Liu continued her impressive performance, breaking Schmiedlova’s serve in the second game and holding on to her serve for a 6-4 victory.
Several key factors contributed to Liu’s triumph. Her serve was exceptional, delivering five aces and winning 75% of her first-serve points. Liu’s resilience on defense was evident as she saved nine out of twelve break points, a crucial element in such a closely contested match. Furthermore, Liu’s aggressive approach and dominance with her forehand allowed her to dictate play and control the points.
This victory marks a significant milestone in Liu’s career and will undoubtedly boost her confidence. Only one win away from her first WTA tour final, she aims to maintain her momentum in the upcoming semifinals and continue making strides in her professional journey.
