Danielle Collins, Liudmila Samsonova, and Madison Keys advanced to the Internationaux de Strasbourg semi-finals on Thursday, with Marketa Vondrousova and Anhelina Kalinina’s quarter-final postponed until Friday due to rain.
“I’m feeling really good so far with my clay season. Having missed the beginning of the season, I was really wanting to have a couple of wins in a row, just to feel like I’ve got a grip on my year, and so far, so good.” Madison Keys
Samsonova, the 5th seed from Russia, started the day by defeating 2nd-seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-3 6-0 after 1 hour and 29 minutes of play. Haddad Maia seemed out of sorts in the heavy conditions as Samsonova dominated the match.
Samsonova broke Haddad Maia in the opening game and continued her strong performance throughout the match, winning the last 8 games to secure the victory.
Strasbourg marks Samsonova’s second semi-final appearance of the season after Abu Dhabi, and she looks to improve her 8-11 record for the year.
Keys, the American No. 4 seed, also had a convincing win, defeating Magda Linette from Poland 6-1 6-3. Keys, who missed the first 2 months of the season due to shoulder rehab, has shown great form on the red clay, reaching 3 straight quarter-finals or better.
Collins, the No. 3 seed, closed out the day with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Clara Burel, the last French player left in the draw. Collins is back in the Top 10 after her win and looks to continue her impressive run this season.
The quarter-final between Vondrousova and Kalinina will resume on Friday, with the winner facing Collins in the semi-finals.
Madison Keys is one of two Americans to make the semi-finals at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, the other is Danielle Collins
© Johannes Simon/Getty Images
Danielle Collins saw off the last Frenchwoman, Clara Burel, in Strasbourg on Thursday and awaits the winner of the 4th quarter-final, postponed due to rain
© Johannes Simon/Getty Images
