Qualifier Emma Navarro has upset third seed Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-4 0-6 7-6 (7-4) to advance to the semi-finals of the WTA Tour’s San Diego Open.
Thursday’s victory was world No.61 Navarro’s first win over a top-10 opponent, with Sakkari’s loss which means the highest three seeds have all made early exits after No.2 Caroline Garcia fell 6-2 6-3 to Danielle Collins.
Top-ranked Ons Jabeur bowed out of the match on Wednesday when she misplaced in straight units to Russia’s Anastasia Potapova.
Fourth-seeded Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic, a wild-card entrant, beat Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil 6-4 6-3 to maneuver into the semi-finals.
“It’s very difficult to play her and it’s more difficult because we play doubles together and I really like her,” mentioned Krejcikova, who’s ranked No.13 on this planet.
The right-hander, who has struggled with accidents and well being issues lately after successful the French Open in 2021, mentioned she was grateful to be getting her profession again on observe.
“I’m enjoying tennis and having fun,” Krejcikova mentioned.
“It’s tennis, it’s a game – the most important thing is that I’m healthy.”
Krejcikova will face the unseeded Collins within the last-four.
“My game sometimes goes up and down, but I was really making my shots today,” Collins mentioned.
“I was in a good head space the whole match.”
American Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion who obtained a wild-card entry into the San Diego Open, scored a 6-2 6-3 win over Potapova to make sure there are three Americans competing for a spot in Sunday’s remaining.
“I love playing here,” Kenin mentioned. “I feel like it’s my lucky court.”
Kenin, presently ranked 93rd on this planet, will face Navarro within the different semi-final.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
