Barthel books semi spot

Mona Barthel beat defending champion Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in the quarter-final of Quebec's Bell Challenge.

German to face Flipkens while Mladenovic sets up Hradecka clash

Mona Barthel beat defending champion Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in quarter-finals of the Bell Challenge in Quebec on Friday. The 22-year-old struck four aces on her way to a 6-3 6-4 victory over Strycova, taking just 87 minutes to overcome the Czech on the indoor carpet at the PEPS Laval University. Strycova, who beat Kiwi Marina Erakovic in last year's final, hit four double faults and won less than half (42 percent) of her second serves during the defeat. German Barthel booked a semi-final showdown against, Kirsten Flipkens, who upset top seed Dominika Cibulkova in the opening round. The Belgian, who was leading Anna Tatishvili 6-2, 3-0 in her quarter final clash, secured her place in the last four when her Georgian opponent retired from their match. France's Kristina Mladenovic took just just 63 minutes.to demolish American Melanie Oudin 6-0, 6-1 in another of Friday's quarter finals. She take on face eighth seed Lucie Hradecka for a place in the final after the Czech cruised past Lauren Davis of the United States 6-4, 6-2.