The Singapore Tennis Open is nearing its exciting conclusion as American Ann Li and Belgium’s Elise Mertens secured spots in the final after impressive semifinal wins.

In the first semifinal, top-seeded Anna Kalinskaya of Russia faced American Ann Li. The match was filled with intense moments until Kalinskaya was forced to retire due to injury. At the time of her withdrawal, Li was leading 7-6(2), 1-0. Li’s performance throughout the match was remarkable, particularly her serving. The American hit an impressive 9 aces and dominated on her first serve, winning 85.2% of points compared to Kalinskaya’s 57.5%. Additionally, Li’s defense was strong as she didn’t face any break points.

In the other semifinal, Belgium’s No. 2 seed Elise Mertens faced China’s fourth seed Xinyu Wang. Mertens secured a straight-set victory, defeating Wang with a solid all-around game. The Belgian delivered 6 aces, with a strong first serve percentage of 66.7%. Her first serve points won stood at 73.1%, a significant advantage over Wang’s 54.3%. Despite facing a higher first serve percentage from Wang, Mertens’ return game was key in dominating the match.

Mertens’ strong serving and efficient returns were crucial in securing her place in the final. On the other hand, Ann Li’s powerful serving and error-free match helped her advance without much difficulty after Kalinskaya’s retirement.

The stage is set for a thrilling final between two players who have demonstrated top-level tennis throughout the tournament. Li will be looking for her first major title, while Mertens will aim to capture another career milestone.