Keys and Davis Set Up All-American Quarterfinals Match in Charleston
American Lauren Davis followed up her stunning victory over top-seed Eugenie Bouchard on Wednesday by ousting 15th-seeded Mona Barthel on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Family Circle Cup.
The 21-year-old posted a 6-4, 3-0 lead on Barthel before the German had to retire due to dizziness. The retirement put Davis into her second career Premier tournament quarterfinal.
“I love this tournament,” said Davis after the match. “It’s an amazing tournament. I love the support. And I feel really comfortable on the clay here—I feel like I’m sliding well and that my game really suits it well.”
Davis will take on fellow American Madison Keys in the quarterfinals. Keys steamrolled Andreea Mitu of Romania 6-2, 6-0 to advance.
Keys broke five times in the match and saved two break points of her own to move on in just over an hour.
Davis and Keys have met four times previously with each player coming away with two victories.
“We know each other really well,” said Davis of her next opponent. “For about a year and a half we shared the same coach, and then she ended up going with Lindsay, so I’m still with the same coach. But I think we know each other’s games like the back of our hands, so it will come down to who’s more competitive.”
Andrea Petkovic reached the final eight on Thursday, moving past American Madison Brengle 6-4, 6-4. The third-seeded German will take on Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic, who advanced after Jelena Jankovic withdrew.
The Czech Republic’s Lucie Hradecka notched an upset on Thursday, battling back from a set down to defeat eighth-seed Caroline Garcia of France 5-7, 7-5, 6-4. Hradecka will play fourth-seeded Italian Sara Errani, who ousted Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.
Germany’s Angelique Kerber rounded out the winners in Charleston on Thursday. The fifth-seeded German cruised past Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino 6-3, 6-0.
