Surbiton Trophy – Defending Champion Riske to face Rybarikova for Women’s Title
(June 8, 2019) No.3 seed Alison Riske remained on course to successfully defend her title, defeating Katy Dunne 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-1 in the quarter-finals and qualifier Caty McNally 6-0 6-4 in the semi-finals to book her place in the final against 2017 champion Magdalena Rybarikova.
Rybarikova was in scintillating form in her two matches on Saturday, defeating Heather Watson 6-4 6-4 and No.2 seed Tatjana Maria 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the final.
“The smallest margins made the difference today. I felt in the first set I was the better player, I had a lot of chances but wasn’t able to take any and then when she had her chance she took it straight away,” said Watson.
“Overall I am happy with my matches this week, particularly with how I’m striking the ball as I didn’t expect to be hitting it so well this early on in the grass court season. It was also great to get through to the doubles final, I have got lots of matches under my belt this week.”
Great Britain’s Dan Evans won a tough semifinal against No.6 seed Marius Copil 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 6-4 to reach the final at the LTA’s Surbiton Trophy where he will play Viktor Troicki.
Evans battled back from a break down in the first two sets to force a tiebreak and then secured the only break of serve in the third to claim victory in two hours 53 minutes.
“It was a tough match, I didn’t do much wrong – just missed a couple of volleys today at bad times, and it is really good to come through those,” said Evans. “He is a good grass-court player, and has done well here before so I am really pleased to be in the final.”
Awaiting Evans in the final will be Troicki who overcame No.5 seed Denis Kudla 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 for his second victory of the day. The Serbian had upset No.8 seed Ivo Karlovic 6-2 5-7 7-6(4) in his quarterfinal match earlier on Saturday.
Doubles top seeds Marcel Granollers and Ben McLachlan overcame Luke Bambridge, last year’s winner here with Jonny O’Mara, and Marcus Daniell 6-4 7-6(3) to reach the doubles final where they will face Soonwoo Kwon and Ramkumar Ramanathan, who defeated wildcards Evans and Lloyd Glasspool 6-4 6-7(3) 10-4 in their semifinal.
Play on Sunday will begin with the men’s doubles final at 11am.
Order of Play Men – Sunday 9 June
Women’s results
Women’s Order of Play – Sunday 9 June
