2015 Family Circle Cup - Semifinal Saturday

Petkovic played furiously but came up short

Madison Keys plays nimble and wins points

Defending 2014 FCC Champ Andrea Petkovic remained undefeated during her third year appearing at the superb tennis facility on Daniel Island. She has played big from the baseline with strong groundstrokes all week long and the semifinal match against fellow German contrywoman Angelique Kerber was no different. Almost from the start the long rallies and the loud emphasis behind each and every shot were a big part of their match. In the end it was the seventh-seeded Kerber that bested the No. 1-seed Petko in straight sets 6 - 4, 6 - 4. She will play in the FCC Finals against fifth-seeded American Madison Keys.

In the first semifinal match at 1 p.m. on Saturday it was Madison Keys breezing through the first set against unlikely qualifier Lucie Hradeka of the Czeck Republic. Keys has made it look easy during the entire week at the FCC and she hardly broke a sweat today. The match was delayed from 10 until 1 due to light rain, and that proved to be the only thing that could delay her clenching of a spot in the Finals. It took Keys just a few minutes over one hour to dismiss Hradecka in straight sets, before acknowledging the crowd that is now looking at her as the favorite to win the 2015 Family Circle Cup on Sunday.

To view past blog entries from the 2015 Family Circle Cup click Tuesday - Monday.

To view past blog entries from the Family Circle Cup click 2014- 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009.

Hradecka scrambles for a low ball

Kerber of Germany makes it to the Finals