This content was published 5 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

Elina Svitolina remains on course to defend her Internazionali BNL d’Italia title after she defeated No. 11 seed Angelique Kerber 6-4 6-4 to reach the last four.

The Ukrainian started slowly and was broken in her third service game to trail 2-4 before reeling off four straight games to claim the first set. Her roll continued in the second set as she broke in the opening game before a slew of four consecutive breaks ensued, the pattern finally coming to an end when Svitolina held her serve to lead 4-2.

Kerber was really struggling on serve and committed five double faults – one of which came on break point – in the fifth game of the second set. Although she performed better and held her next two service games it was too late to stop the No. 4 seed sealing her sixth straight victory over the German and advancing to the semifinals for the second straight year.

“I think, good match, you know. I had to really step up and play really aggressive in important moments. And that’s, I think, what was the key for today. I played really good on the important points. That’s what made a difference,” said Svitolina.

Svitolina’s semi-final opponent will be either No. 2 seed Caroline Woznaicki or Anett Kontaveit.