Thursday 19 June 2014 20:50, UK
British No 1 Heather Watson was given a free passage through to the semi-finals of the Aegon International in Eastbourne when Petra Kvitova withdrew through injury.
Watson secured the best win of her career in the second round on Wednesday when she came from a set down to defeat world No 12 Flavia Pennetta.
That set up a clash with former Wimbledon champion Kvitova but the Czech decided not to take to the court because of a hamstring strain.
Kvitova's withdrawal means Watson is guaranteed 185 ranking points, which should see her climb significantly from her current mark of 70, and she will fancy her chances of beating Madison Keys after the young American swept past her compatriot Lauren Davis 6-2 6-1 to reach the last four.
I see it as a big opportunity. But I think whoever I was playing I'd see it as a big opportunity. (I'm) in the semi-finals now, everyone wants it badly, and I do too.
The 22-year-old said: "I see it as a big opportunity. But I think whoever I was playing I'd see it as a big opportunity. (I'm) in the semi-finals now, everyone wants it badly, and I do too."
The other semi-final will be between eighth seed Caroline Wozniacki and fifth seed Angelique Kerber.
Wozniacki has been having one of her best weeks of the season and she recovered from a set down to defeat Italy's Camila Giorgi 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 6-2.
Kerber had a much easier time of it in beating Ekaterina Makarova 6-2 6-1.
Top seed Richard Gasquet led the men's winners, the Frenchman defeating Martin Klizan 6-3 6-4 to reach the semi-finals.
There he will play Denis Istomin, who beat Edouard Roger-Vasselin 7-6 (7-5) 6-2, while American Sam Querrey saw off Julien Benneteau 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
Defending champion Feliciano Lopez was held up by rain, though, and will have to play Jeremy Chardy, as well as a potential semi-final, on Friday.
