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Tennis: Liudmila Samsonova edges Zheng Qinwen in Abu Dhabi, Wu Yibing makes first ATP Tour event semis
CGTN
China's Zheng Qinwen serves the ball during the women's singles semifinal at the WTA Abu Dhabi Open at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, February 11, 2023. /CFP
China's Zheng Qinwen serves the ball during the women's singles semifinal at the WTA Abu Dhabi Open at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, February 11, 2023. /CFP

China's Zheng Qinwen serves the ball during the women's singles semifinal at the WTA Abu Dhabi Open at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, February 11, 2023. /CFP

No.8 seed Liudmila Samsonova of Russia outlasted China's Zheng Qinwen 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in 2 hours and 19 minutes during the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Abu Dhabi Open semifinal on Saturday.

"It was an amazing match, Qinwen played unbelievable," Samsonova said afterward. "I was trying to be more aggressive for sure, after the second set."

Liudmila Samsonova of Russia plays a backhand during the WTA Abu Dhabi Open semifinal in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, February 11, 2023. /CFP
Liudmila Samsonova of Russia plays a backhand during the WTA Abu Dhabi Open semifinal in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, February 11, 2023. /CFP

Liudmila Samsonova of Russia plays a backhand during the WTA Abu Dhabi Open semifinal in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, February 11, 2023. /CFP

Samsonova will meet Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in the final.

According to the WTA, No.2 seed Bencic clinched her 11th match-win of the year after easing past No.6 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil 6-2, 6-3 on Saturday.

Wu Yibing of China hits a forehand during the Dallas Open quarterfinal in Dallas, U.S., February 10, 2023. /CFP
Wu Yibing of China hits a forehand during the Dallas Open quarterfinal in Dallas, U.S., February 10, 2023. /CFP

Wu Yibing of China hits a forehand during the Dallas Open quarterfinal in Dallas, U.S., February 10, 2023. /CFP

In the men's tennis event, China's Wu Yibing secured his career first Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour semifinal on Friday.

Wu defeated French veteran Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-4 in 73 minutes during the quarterfinal.

"This marks the first time that Wu has made a tour-level semifinal, becoming the second Chinese person ever in the tour-level semifinal. His senior Pan Bing accomplished the feat in Seoul in 1995," China Daily reported.

The 23-year-old Chinese player will face Taylor Fritz, No.1 U.S. player and world No.7, in the semifinal.

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