Medina Garrigues Shines On Black Thursday For Seeds

© JLSAnabel Medina Garrigues is the only player in the semi-finals to have won a WTA title.

The top three seeds in the women's Estoril Open all lost on Thursday.

Alisa Kleybanova, Jarmila Gajdosova and Klara Zakopalova all suffered losses at the hands of lower-ranked opponents on another sun-kissed day at the Estadio Nacional.

World No. 61 Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain remains the only player with a WTA title to her name.

Garrigues accounted for third seed Zakopalova 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 47 minutes. It was her sixth win in nine matches over the Czech.

The 28 year old converted six of eight break point opportunities - three in the 44-minute first set and the same in the 63-minute second set. Zakopalova drops to 15-10 on the season.

"Yes, I'm really happy to have made my second semi-final of the year and to be playing here on clay," said Medina Garrigues.

"I would be very happy if that happens [becoming the singles champion], but I have to play tomorrow against Monica, she’s playing very good, so we will see. I always enjoy playing here. Actually people say it is very windy here, but I’ve played here two years now and I haven’t felt that."

Follow Live Scores | Watch Live Online

World No. 59 Monica Niculescu recorded the fourth biggest win of her career, knocking out second seed Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 11 minutes.

Gajdosova recovered from 0-4 deficit to clinch the first set, but Niculescu took her chances thereafter - going five from five in break point opportunities.

The 23-year-old Romanian dropped three points on serve in the third set en route to her 11th win of the season (11-8 overall).

"I feel great," said Niculescu. "I played good tennis and I’m hoping to play the same in the semi-final.

I was leading in the first set and I started to push the ball thinking she will make mistakes, but she's Top 50 and she will not do that, and so I lost the set. Then I was 4-2 down and I said, 'whatever, it doesn't matter, just hit it' and it worked out. I was a little lucky, but I think you have to be.

"Anabel will be another tough match. She is definitely playing better than before. I will have to play harder and I hope it’s going to be a good match."