AUCKLAND, New Zealand - No.7 seed Jelena Ostapenko won the opening set of the first ASB Classic semifinal before symptoms of a viral illness proved too much, forcing the Latvian youngster to retire as Davis led, 4-6, 6-4, 4-1.
"Today, I woke up in the morning with a fever, coughing and everything. I felt much worse today than yesterday," she told press after the match. "I tried to play the match but it was very difficult because I wasn't feeling good at all. She was playing good but I had chances to win the match in the second set. I didn't, and unfortunately I couldn't finish the tournament."
Ostapenko has restored her three-game cushion thanks to forehands like this one! pic.twitter.com/EmMrfMURly
? WTA (@WTA) January 6, 2017
Ostapenko had been in solid form all week in New Zealand - reaching the semifinals in both singles and doubles - and enjoyed an impressive start in the opening set, racing out to a double break lead before ultimately serving it out to love.
Davis acquitted herself much better in the second, taking a 4-1 lead and holding off a late surge from the Latvian to level the match.
.@LaurenDavis93 levels up the match!
Wins the second set 6-4 to force a decider! pic.twitter.com/cqkQW6dAtK
? WTA (@WTA) January 6, 2017
"During the match, I felt my throat was very painful, and my concentration wasn't good. I wanted to play but I couldn't because I'm sick."
Awaiting Davis in what will be her third career WTA final is Ana Konjuh, who outlasted 2016 ASB Classic runner-up Julia Goerges, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Jelena Ostapenko retires after being down in the third set.@LaurenDavis93 is moving on to the @ASB_Classic Final! pic.twitter.com/uCkccrWlmC
? WTA (@WTA) January 6, 2017