Anett Kontaveit scores service is real-time, updating live.
The decider matched up the two players at their highest level, with Hsieh shifting gears and playing first-strike tennis like Kontaveit — the advantage of having an expansive repertoire. The former doubles World No. 1 built a commanding 4-0, but Kontaveit wasn’t going away. The finalist in Wuhan last year dug deep to claim six of the next seven games. And, with Hsieh a point away from forcing a tiebreak at 40-0, Kontaveit added to her win total with two clean smashes that gave her the set and the match.
Asked the difference between the first and second for her, Kontaveit responded, “I think I found my game a bit more in the second set. I was more aggressive, making more balls, making her, you know, play more balls and getting the first strike in better than I did in the first set.”
However, in the second, Kontaveit’s power got to be too much for the 33-year-old, as her winner count ticked up and her error count ticked down. The raw strength of Kontaveit was on full display with her forehand winners, eliciting the awe of the crowd inside Stadium Court. At 2-all, she would win four straight games to take the second set easily.
Anett Kontaveit päätti uransa Wimbledonissa.
Hsieh did a remarkable job absorbing the power of Kontaveit early on, racing out to a 3-0 lead in the opening set, ostensibly helped by an untenable 18 unforced errors from the Estonian. Redirecting her opponent’s would-be winners from line to line, Hsieh kept the ball in play just long enough for Kontaveit to make a mistake.
Miami Gardens, FL — At 23, Anett Kontaveit is headed to the semifinals of the 2019 Miami Open presented by Itaú. Overcoming the oft-puzzling style of her opponent — No. 27 seed Hsieh Su-wei — and a 0-4 deficit in the deciding set, Kontaveit overpowered the crafty player opposite her to win, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, in just over two hours and reach her first Miami Open semis.
Since the round-robin format was re-introduced in 2003, this will be only the second time the sixth, seventh and eighth seeds (Muguruza, Badosa and Kontaveit) all advanced to the WTA Finals semis after 2018.
The second set followed a similar theme after Muguruza broke Kontaveit's serve in the first game, and she maintained that advantage until facing a break in her bid to progress to the semis.
Image Courtesy: Kontaveit’s official IG profile
Kontaveit was already assured of a semi-final berth prior to Sunday's matchup but the Group Teotihuacan victor was riding a 12-match winning streak.
Kontaveit took to Instagram to announce her retirement.
Former world number one Garbine Muguruza booked her spot in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals with a 6-4 6-4 win over in-form eighth seed Anett Kontaveit.
Anett Kontaveit of Estonia in action.
At the time of her retirement, Kontaveit was asked about her plans for the future, to which she replied by saying that she primarily wanted to learn how to relax.
Muguruza – 13/20Kontaveit – 17/29
In fact, Kontaveit is yet to formally say goodbye to tennis, as she is set to play a farewell exhibition match against her good friend and World No. 7 Ons Jabeur in Tallinn on November 11.
KONTAVEIT HER: ANETT KONTAVEIT IS SEMIFINAL-BOUND
Nevertheless, Kontaveit is still clearly enjoying the sport as she entered the tournament for retired players in Luxembourg. The line-up was stacked with stars such as four-time Grand Slam champion and 2016 Olympic champion .
Anett Kontaveit is an Estonian former professional tennis player
Kontaveit had a hugely successful career, winning six titles and reaching as high as World No. 2 in the WTA Ranking, making her the highest-ranked Estonian player in tennis history.
Anett Kontaveit | Player Stats & More – WTA Official
In her Instagram post Tuesday, Kontaveit expressed pride that she was able "to bring the Estonian flag to the tennis courts" in such a profound way.