Wang overcomes slow start to make first final of 2025, will face Waters for gold
Chao Yi (Zoey) Wang kicked off Semifinal Saturday action in Central Florida with a 12-10, 11-2 victory over No. 5 seed Lea Jansen.
The No. 8 seed appeared to be in trouble when she got down 0-7 in the opening game, but she came all the way back to take it before comfortably winning the second.
Wang dialed in her approach shots following the slow start, skillfully changing their direction and sending them up the line to earn volley opportunities at the net.
She spoke afterwards about how an early timeout helped her regain her composure and raise her level.
“I knew I would have to play my best today. I was a little bit nervous in the beginning, but after that, I took a timeout and just tried to do my thing,” she mentioned. “I wanted to trust my groundstrokes and get to the net to hit my volleys.”
With this win, Wang is into her first final of the 2025 season. Her last final came in Milwaukee in 2024, where she fell to Kate Fahey in three games.
Top seed Anna Leigh Waters awaits on Sunday in Lakeland.
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