Italian duo Tommaso Giovannini and Flaminia Daina’s dramatic 7-6 (4), 7-5 victory over World No. 1 Nikita Burmakin and Irina Glimakova of Russia in mixed doubles punctuated a day that saw the previously-undefeated Russians, relative newcomers to the sport, finally beaten at Katara Beach in the quarter-final round. Giovannini/Daina fell behind 1-4 early in the first set, and it looked like the Russians, let by world No 1 Burmakin, would cruise into the semi-finals. But the Italians responded by winning six of the next eight games, including the tie-break to take the first set. Finding themselves down 1-4 in the second set, it was the Russians who would then battle back to even the set at four games apiece. With Giovannini serving to close out the match, Burmakin/Glimakova fought to again level the score at five games apiece, but the Italians won the next two for a hard-fought victory. In the afternoon session, top ranked duo Alessandro Calbucci/Michele Cappelletti (ITA) took the opening set against Nikolai Gurev/Ivan Syrov (RUS) 6-1 before battling through a second set marred with unforced errors to hang on 7-5. They will meet former world No 1 Vinicius Font/Andre Baran (BRA) in the next round. Burmakin/Sergey Kuptsov (RUS), who defeated second-seeded Giovannini/Luca Cramarossa (ITA) the previous day in men’s doubles, earned a spot in the other semi-final with a victory over Brazil. They will face the Spanish team of Gerard Rodriguez/Antonio Ramos, victors over France. In the women’s doubles, world No 1 Italian pair Giulia Gasparri/Sofia Cimatti easily handled Liudmila Nikoyan/Ekaterina Kirgizova (RUS) 6-2 6-2, which will set up a semi-final matchup with Rafaella Miller (BRA) and partner Joana Cortez (BRA). The Brazilians prevailed 6-4 6-2 over Lady Correa/Patricia Diaz (VEN).Prior to her mixed doubles match, Russia’s Glimakova battled through the day’s most competitive match with Daria Churakova (RUS) against Nadia Johnston/Nicole Melch (USA). The Americans pushed the Russian duo to the brink in an 113-minute marathon match that eventually went Russia’s way 5-7 7-5 10-5. Italy’s second-ranked team of Daina/Nicole Nobile also advanced 6-3 6-3 against Brazilians Lorena Melo/Marcela Vita. They will face Glimakova/Churakova in today’s semi-final, setting up a potential all-Italy women’s final.In the evening’s other mixed doubles action, both Brazilian teams advanced to the next round. Rafaella Miller (BRA) and her partner Baran needed three sets to defeat Ramos/Eva Fernandez (ESP) 4-6 6-3 10-3, while Font/Joana Cortez prevailed over Spain’s other mixed doubles squad Rodriguez/Sabrina Lopez 6-4 6-1. Today’s women’s semi-finals kick off at 2:30pm, followed by the men at 4:30pm. The medals matches will commence at 5:30pm.
October 15, 2019 | 12:00 AM