Elena Vesnina is on course to claim her second trophy of the season following her formidable 6-2 6-0 triumph over Yanina Wickmayer in 52 minutes.
And 13 proved unlucky for the Belgian, as Vesnina racing away with the second set in just 13 minutes to send the former US Open semi-finalist packing. The Russian Doubles specialist cruised past fellow unlikely semi-finalist Wickmayer in a disappointing one-sided affair that immediately followed the marathon match that saw Jamie Hampton stun Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki.
Vesnina said:
“I was expecting it was going to be a very long and difficult match because Yanina’s a very dangerous player. After the first set she kind of lost her concentration, I was surprised.
“It feels great to be in the final as it’s a really strong tournament. It definitely will bring me some confidence before Wimbledon.”
World no36 Vesnina has made an impressive run to tomorrow’s final against American qualifier. She kicked off the week by shocking Serbian star Ana Ivanovic and then outplayed British no2 Heather Watson.
With no2 seed Li Na standing in her way for a semi-final spot, Vesnina pulled off an incredible win to send the Chinese no1 tumbling out of the Wimbledon warm-up tournament.
Wickmayer had seen off world no10 Maria Kirilenko of Russia on Court 1 to reach the final four. The Belgian also accounted for American Christina McHale and 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova so the 23-year-old was not expected to be such a pushover for Vesnina.
The 26-year-old bombarded Wickmayer with sizzling shots, including 16 winners, and broke the Belgian five times with a near flawless display – only guilty of committing six unforced errors.
Eastbourne Tennis 