2018-08-18 18:33:00 CEST
From almost out to a last four place
Czech girls seal spot in semis
Marketa and Barbora are through to the semifinals in Hamburg
Only points ratio kept them in the tournament after they lost earlier in the day – but now Czech stars Barbora Hermannová and Marketa Sluková are in the semifinals at the Rothenbaum.
The Vienna Major gold medalists defeated Canadians rivals Heather Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson to set-up a last-four meeting with Australians Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho after a fine win in three sets on the Red Bull Beach Arena sand.
Having not knowing earlier whether they had qualified for the elimination phase, it was a day of dramatic and differing emotions for the heroes from Vienna.
“We are very bad a counting points,” joked Barbora after their quarterfinal triumph. “We were confused after the last match, we came into the mixed zone and people had told us we had qualified but our coach wasn’t sure. In the end we were happy to get through.”
Marketa added: “We could have been out a few hours ago and now we’ve just advanced to the semifinals and that’s amazing. I’m happy and honored to play at least two more matches on the center court.”
The Europeans have come unstuck many times against their North American opponents, having lost five of their last six meetings against Heather and Brandie.
And the duo were delighted to have finally got their measure outside of their homeland. The only time Marketa and Barbora had beaten them was in the final of the four-star in Ostrava.
“It’s a good record, huh?!” joked Marketa. “Truth is we are all good friends and we joked in Vienna when they were knocked out ‘yes, they are out of the way!’ But they are one of the best teams. There’s a few of us who have been top of the ranking at some point. But they are always good games against them, many three setters. We’re excited to put them out.”
The winners now face the Australians on the Red Bull Beach Arena on Sunday morning for a place in the final. Watch all the action live on BeachStream.
What 👏 a 👏 rally 👏 Tune in to #HamburgFinals now on BeachStream [link in bio] @bara.maki.beach @bvuilleumier @heatherbansley @vodafone_de @hamburg_de @redbull
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