Auckland Open: Masarova books spot in semi-finals

Spanish qualifier Rebeka Masarova defeated Czech Karolina Muchova 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2) to advance to the semi-finals of the Auckland Open at the ASB Tennis Centre on Friday night.

Masarova, ranked No 130, will face Belgian qualifier Ysaline Bonaventure next.

Ahead of her victory, the Spaniard won against American Sloane Stephens, the second seed (6-3, 7-6 (5)) and Russian Anna Blinkova (6-1, 6-4).

Muchova, ranked No 151, benefited from the abandonment of Chinese Xiyu Wang, the No 5 seed (5-3) and beat Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse (6-4, 6-1) in the previous rounds of the Auckland tournament.

Auckland WTA 250, other last 8 results (ASB Tennis Centre, hard, USD 259.303, most recent results first):

• Ysaline Bonaventure beat Leylah Fernandez (3): 6-4, 6-2
• Danka Kovinic (7) beat Viktoria Kuzmova (Q): 6-3, 6-2
• Coco Gauff (1) beat Lin Zhu: 6-3, 6-2