KURPARK FAN EMMA NAVARRO BACK IN THE SEMIS: “I LOVE THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE FANS” – KERBER CONQUEROR DIANA SHNAIDER CAUSES ANOTHER SURPRISE

Emma Navarro had to think for a moment after reaching the semi-finals when court commentator Matthias Stach smiled and made a tempting suggestion. She should apply to the WTA to organise the Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt every week. “I’d love to,” said third seed Emma Navarro to a sell-out crowd of 3700 at the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court: “I love it here, the fans and the atmosphere. Thank you for giving me such a great week.“

However, the 19th-ranked American was unable to celebrate her second straight semi-final appearance at the Kurpark as Emma Navarro took advantage of former Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki’s retirement in the last eight. The Danish wildcard bend over at 5-4 in the first set and needed treatment on her left knee. Despite continuing to play with a brace, she was unable to continue early in the third set and Emma Navarroeventually won 4-6, 6-1, 1-0.

Badosa predicts a big future for Shnaider: “Aggressive and smart!

In the semi-final on Friday (2:00 pm/SKY, sportschau.de), the 23-year-old from North Carolina will meet Kerber’s conqueror Diana Shnaider in a clash of former US college players. The 20-year-old, who won her first WTA title in Thailand in February 2024, again impressed with her powerful game in a 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) win over former world number two Paula Badosa.

The Spaniard then whispered something extremely motivational into the ear of winner Diana Shnaider as she congratulated her at the net: “Paula told me that if I play like this, I can be in the top ten.” The left-hander, who wears her signature pirate scarf to protect her head, is currently ranked 47th in the WTA rankings. She describes her style of play as: “Aggressive and smart!”

In the second semi-final (4:00 pm/SKY) on Friday afternoon, Bulgarian qualifier Viktoriya Tomova will take on Croatia’s Donna Vekic, who has reached the final round without a fight after defending champion Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic pulled out of Thursday’s quarter-final with a hip injury. Viktoriya Tomova, who beat Anna Blinkova 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (11-9) 2:11 hours later on Thursday night, had defeated Tatjana Maria in the opening round.

This means that the fourth edition of the Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt will have a new champion after Angelique Kerber (2021), Caroline Garcia (2022) and Katerina Siniakova (2023) triumphed in the Kurpark.

Here is a rundown of Friday’s (28 June) semi-finals:

2:00 pm: Emma Navarro (USA/No. 3) – Diana Shnaider (Russia)

4:00 pm: Donna Vekic (Croatia) – Viktoriya Tomova (Bulgaria)