Iasi Open: Avanesyan advances to final

Russian Elina Avanesyan, the No 5 seed, defeated Frenchwoman Chloe Paquet 6-2, 6-3 to reach the final of the Iasi Open at the Ciric Sports Base on Thursday.

Avanesyan, ranked No 76, will face Russian Mirra Andreeva, the top seed, next.

Ahead of her victory, the 21-year-old Russian won against Spaniard Leyre Romero Gormaz (6-1, 6-2), Croat Petra Martic (6-2, 5-7, 6-4) and Romanian Jaqueline Cristian, the No 3 seed (7-5, 6-4).

Paquet, ranked No 106, beat Argentinian Maria Lourdes Carle, the No 7 seed (6-4, 6-2), Swiss qualifier Simona Waltert (6-1, 7-5) and qualifier Selena Janicijevic (0-6, 6-2, 6-1) in the previous rounds of the Iasi tournament.

Iasi WTA 250, other semi-final result (Ciric Sports Base, clay, USD 267.082):

• Mirra Andreeva beat Olga Danilovic: 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1)