Top seed Anna Chakvetadze fought her way into the semi-finals of the New Haven Open on Thursday.
Mauresmo through, but Hantuchova and Bartoli fall
Top seed Anna Chakvetadze fought her way into the semi-finals of the New Haven Open on Thursday.
The Russian defeated Sorana Cirstea 6-3 6-3 in the WTA event in Connecticut to set up a semi-final clash with former world number one Amelie Mauresmo.
But Chakvetadze believed the straight sets scoreline against the Romanian was slightly misleading.
She said: "It was really, really tough, deuce all the time, a lot of break points.
Dizzy
"It was tough conditions, it was too hot. In the beginning of the second set, I felt a little dizzy. But then I fought till the end."
Mauresmo continued her recent revival following injury, beating last year's runner-up Agnes Szavay 6-4 7-5 to reach the last four.
"I am definitely very happy about this one," said the Frenchwoman after her hard-fought win over the fourth seed.
"I definitely needed these few matches to finally get back.
Right track
"I would say I am on the right track in terms of my game."
There were shocks in the other two quarter-finals as second seed Daniela Hantuchova and number three Marion Bartoli of France both lost to 18-year-olds.
Slovakian Hantuchova, who had saved three match points in the previous round, was sent out 3-6 6-4 6-4 by the ever-improving Alize Cornet of France, who overcame a thigh injury to advance.
Former Wimbledon runner-up Bartoli was crushed 6-4 6-0 by Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki.
