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Estoril Open News and Events
Sixth-seeded Russian Ekaterina Makarova, who was expecting to rush to Madrid to sign in for the qualification for next week’s Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournament, booked herself in the Estoril Open semi-finals on Thursday after she beat second-seeded compatriot and defending Maria Kirilenko 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and 23 minutes on Central Court.
Makarova, who had suffered a 6-3, 5-7, 6-0 loss to No. 37-ranked Kirilenko in Doha last year, hit five aces, won 30 of 42 points on first serve and saved five of eight break point opportunities. Kirilenko, who beat Iveta Benesova in last year’s final, dropped to 8-9 on the season, while No. 43-ranked Makarova improved to a 12-7 mark.
The 20-year-old, who is playing full of confidence after reaching her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour final in Fes (l. to Medina Garrigues) last week, will next challenge eighth seed Anna Lena Groenefeld.
Groenefeld advanced to her 10th career semi-finals when German compatriot and No. 4 seed Lisicki, who has played seven straight weeks that includes winning her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title at Charleston (d. Wozniacki), retired due to a right shoulder injury after losing the first set 6-2. The pair had been playing for 35 minutes. Groenefeld has an 11-10 record on the year, while Lisicki dropped to 17-8.
Watch highlights of Maria João Koehler and Maria Emilia Salerni getting a makeover on Thursday at the Estoril Open
Belgian Yanina Wickmayer, currently No. 88 in the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Rankings, continued her impressive run through the International Series field. Wickmayer will hope to reach her second tour-level final (2008 Birmingham) on Friday, after beating fellow 19 year old and third seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in one hour and 56 minutes.
Wickmayer will next challenge seventh-seeded Israeli Shahar Peer, who is receiving treatment after each match this week for a foot injury. World No. 54 Peer knocked out Slovakian Jarmilia Groth – conqueror of top seed Benesova – 6-2, 0-6, 6-3 in one hour and 44 minutes. Peer improved to 15-8 on the season.
Wednesday: Top Seed Benesova Falls In Second Round
Montanes Saves 2 M.P. To Clinch Title