WTA Linz Open: Lucie Safarova vs. Dominika Cibulkova

Lucie Safarova and Dominika Cibulkova are scheduled to clash on Saturday in the semi-finals of the Generali Ladies Linz Open.

Lucie Safarova became the only unseeded player to make the semi-finals of this year’s Generali Ladies Linz Open on Friday, as she beat Sorana Cirstea of Romania in straight sets (7-5, 6-2). The Czech outsider will now be looking to maintain her form for Saturday’s semi-final matchup against seventh seed Dominika Cibulkova.

Cibulkova was pushed into three sets in her quarter-final victory over Anastasia Rodionova (6-7(5), 6-2, 6-1). Speaking after the match, Cibulkova revealed, "It was very similar to the match I played against Errani in the last round. In the first set I was too passive, then relaxed for the second set and started to really hit the ball and play well. By the end I felt pretty good."

Whilst Cibulkova has a 2-0 match record against Safarova, she’s refused to get carried away about her chances of reaching the final. "Lucie is a very tough opponent," remarked Cibulkova after Friday’s contest. "The last time we played was in the first round of Wimbledon last year. She's lefty and is very talented. I'm just going to try to play my game. We'll see."