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Certain questions regarding both players

Bencic played a better match yesterday than at the opening. But, she's still showing signs of problems, and she herself said she has flu, but that she's able to play. Kasatkina ended the doubles match around 2 o'clock in the morning, local time. It's questionable how much strength is left in her, especially after a tough match against Cibulkova

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This weekend Bencic was the crucial player of the Swiss national team. She won two matches in singles, and later in doubles she won the most important third point. She left a great impression, she herself pointed out she is playing great. But, "on the way" she obviously caught flu. In both matches in St. Petersburg she had problems with coughing, which could have influenced her performance in both matches.

- I have a bit of a cold, but I can still play - said Bencic who ended yesterday's match a little before midnight, local time.

After beating Beck in the second round, Bencic pointed out she didn't have a chance to practice on the central court and that influenced her game. Pavlyuchenkova's reaction was expected thus. Bencic ended the match with 33 straight points and 24 unforced errors. She played better compared to the match against Beck. Besides, she made as many errors in that match in the first set than she did here in the entire one.

- It was a terrible match. I had so many errors - Bencic commented, but the final statistics disputed her words.

After the first set, Pavlyuchenkova compained of leg problems, of some kind of a strain. That somewhat affected her game as the match went on, but Bencic deserved to win in the end. She again won a match even though she didn't play at top level, but that's a characteristic of Top players like Bencic. But, the question is how far will this flu go.

Kasatkina belongs to a very narrow circle of players who will carry the Russian national team one day. She showed that once more in St. Petersburg. Besides, here's what Ivanovic pointed out about Kasatkina:

- Kasatkina is a great player of the younger generation. She never quits and she's a fighter. It's nice to see such a complete player in that phase. I think she has a bright future.

Kasatkina, on average, in three matches pulled out 33 errors out of her opponents, each. The statistics say that Siegemund did only 18 unforced errors. By the impression of the match itself, that number was far, far bigger. We can freely say that Kasatkina's opponents did around 40 errors. Cibulkova stopped at 43 yesterday, compared to only 18 of Kasatkina's. That number is especially important when you know the Russian had only seven direct points less (35-42).

- I was leading in all three sets, but Cibulkova didn't give up. She's one of those players who are better when they have nothing to lose, and I didn't expect that - Kasatkina commented, and then she turned to the semi-finals:

- I'm not interested against whom I'll play in the semi-finals. Especially after such a match. I don't know how will I feel tomorrow, but I will fight hard.

After making it through to the semi-finals, Kasatkina wasn't over. Later she had doubles as well. She and Vesnina were beaten by Hingis and Mirze, and the match ended around two o'clock in the morning. Kasatkina pointed out that she can't give up doubles, out of respect towards Vesnina. But, it's a question whether she would cancel that match had it not been a home tournament. It's questionable how will that influence Kasatkina today, and how much strength she has left after Cibulkova. But one thing is certain - she will again have the huge support of the fans.