Palermo Open: Muchova moves into semi-finals to face Begu
The Czech defeated Astra Sharma 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) in the quarter-finals on Friday
Second seed Karolina Muchova reached the last four of the Palermo Open by defeating Australian Astra Sharma 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) at A.S.D. Country Time Club on Friday.
Muchova, ranked No 35 and a former French Open finalist, will face Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu next.
The Czech benefited from the retirement of Polish qualifier Katarzyna Kawa (7-6 (14), 5-1) and won against German qualifier Noma Noha Akugue (6-7, 6-2, 6-3) in the previous rounds of the tournament.
Earlier in the week, Sharma, ranked No 151, beat Russian Anna Blinkova, the No 6 seed (6-0, 7-5) and wildcard Ajla Tomljanovic (6-4, 3-6, 6-1).
Palermo WTA 250, other quarter-final results (A.S.D. Country Time Club, clay, USD 267,082):
- Qinwen Zheng (1) beat Jaqueline Cristian (7): 6-1, 6-1
- Irina-Camelia Begu beat Ann Li: 6-3, 6-4
- Diane Parry (4) beat Chloe Paquet: 7-5, 1-6, 6-4