Today will see an exciting day of semi final action here at the Moorilla Hobart International including performances from Aussie doubles duo Ashleigh Barty and Bojana Bobusic, the USA’s rising star Sloane Stephens and defending champion Mona Barthel.
Play will commence at 12 pm with the doubles semi featuring the Aussies against Spaniards, Garbine Muguruza and Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor. This is the first tournament together for Barty and Bobusic but after their straight-set win against Nina Bratchikova and Janette Husarova in the quarterfinals they are looking in solid form to book a final appearance.
Next on centre court will be the USA’s world No.29 Sloane Stephens who has so far had an impressive run at the tournament, defeating the UK’s Laura Robson and fellow countrywoman Lauren Davis. At 19 years of age old the No. 8 seed is the youngest woman in the WTA’s top 40. She was recently dubbed by her mentor and multiple Grand Slam champion Serena Williams as a future world No. 1.
Stephens will be taking on Russia’s Elena Vesnina who will be making her fifth appearance at the tournament with the hope of advancing to her first final in Hobart.
The twilight session will commence at 5:30 pm with a doubles appearance from Spanish dynamic duo Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino and Lourdes Dominguez Lino against Timea Babos and Mandy Minella.
Last but not least former champion Mona Barthel will take on Belgium’s world No. 51 Kirsten Flipkens. The Belgian is one to watch after an inspiring performance against Romania’s unique Monica Niculescu tonight at the Domain. Despite a slow start in her tournament matches, Flipkens will be one to challenge the hard-hitting Barthel.
By Rosie Jones.