Croatian qualifier Jana Fett is into the Hobart International semifinals in her first WTA main draw appearance. The 20-year-old scored a 6-1 6-4 victory over Paraguayan Veronica Cepede Royg 6-1 6-4 in a 72-minute quarterfinal on Centre Court today.
“I’m really excited about how I’ve been playing,” Fett said. “I’m surprised I’m in the semis, I didn’t expect that.”
Fett, ranked No.340 and on the comeback from wrist surgery that sidelined her for most of the 2016 season, raced to a 5-0 lead in 19 minutes.
Cepede Royg, the world No.129, held in the sixth game but couldn’t stop Fett from taking the first set. The second set was more even, with Fett only edging ahead late to secure victory.
“First set was pretty good, although she was missing a lot,” Fett said when asked if it was a near-perfect performance. “Then I didn’t use my chances in the first few games (of the second set) and she started playing better, so it got a bit complicated but I’m happy to be through.”
Fett was dominant on serve, a pleasing sign after admitting she struggled with confidence on serve when she returned from injury in late 2016.
“That’s a really big thing in my game,” she said of her serve. “Also the movement, I think I can get many balls back and make girls miss, so that’s a good thing.”
Fett now meets fellow qualifier Elise Mertens in the semifinals tomorrow.