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Safarova, Gavrilova put on three-hour show in Birmingham

Grass brings out the best in some players.

Published Jun 23, 2017

Smiles all round after an unbelievable point! 😃

Take a bow, @LucieSafarova! #AegonClassic pic.twitter.com/z3amQbzZkF
— wta (@WTA) June 23, 2017

With points like that, it's no wonder it took more three hours to decide the champion in the Birmingham quarterfinal between Daria Gavrilova and Lucie Safarova.

Safarova would emerge victorious after saving three match points, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (5).

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.@LucieSafarova saves THREE match points in EPIC 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-6(5) comeback vs Gavrilova!

Books first #AegonClassic Semifinal spot! pic.twitter.com/EuuVXnLm2R
— wta (@WTA) June 23, 2017

Gavrilova had two match points at 5-3 in the third set, and another at 5-4. She also led 5-3 in the final tiebreaker before Safarova won the final four points.

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Maybe the Czech had the slight edge thanks to a lesson she got earlier in the week from Maud Watson, the first women's Wimbledon champion.

Maud Watson took @luciesafarova back in time to the first ever lawn tennis court in the world to see how tennis used to be played! 🎾 pic.twitter.com/K8qTAAPC6Q
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 19, 2017

The real Watson was born in 1864, and won Wimbledon in 1884 and 1885. Safarova, a one-time French Open finalist, will be hoping that winning blast from the past rubs off on her at the All England Club.

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A post shared by Lucie Safarova (@lucie.safarova)

Safarova was forced to withdrew from the doubles quarterfinals with a thigh injury, but will hope to be healthy enough to contest the singles semifinal on Saturday against Petra Kvitova.

Follow Nina on Twitter: @ninapantic1

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