Abierto Tampico: Stakusic through to semi-finals
The Canadian will meet the winner of the match between German Tatjana Maria, the No 4 seed, and Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo, the No 6 seed, in the next round
Canadian qualifier Marina Stakusic advanced to the last four of the WTA $125K Abierto Tampico by edging out Italian Lucrezia Stefanini 0-6, 6-4, 7-5 on Thursday.
The Canadian led 5-2 in the final before Stefanini fought back to 5-5. However, Stakusic managed a another break in the 11th game and the served out the match on her third matchpoint.
Stakusic, ranked No 140, will play the winner of the match between German Tatjana Maria, the No 4 seed, and Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo, the No 6 seed, next.
The 19-year-old Canadian won against Ukrainian qualifier Anastasiya Sobolieva (6-2, 6-2) and American Robin Montgomery, the No 7 seed (6-4, 7-6 (5)) in the previous rounds.
Earlier in the week, Stefanini, ranked No 166, defeated American Ann Li (6-4, 6-4) and edged out Spaniard Nuria Parrizas Diaz, the top seed (2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4).