Unseeded Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland marched into the semi-finals in the University of Mumbai ITF women's US $25,000 tennis tournament after upsetting fifth seed Nina Bratchikova of Russia, at the Kalina University Campus, in Mumbai, on Thursday.
Voegele won 6-2, 6-3 to set up a clash with unseeded Natsumi Hamamura of Japan, who beat compatriot Remi Tezuka 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (5) in the only singles match of the day that went to three sets.
Voegele capped a rewarding day, entering the doubles final with Olga Panova following a 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 win over the formidable pair of Sunitha Rao and Shiho Hisamatsu.
Second seed Yan-Chong Chen of China remained on course after a 6-1, 7-5 victory over No 6 Olga Panova of Russia.
Following the shock defeat of No 1 Shiho Hisamatsu of Japan, Chen is now the favourite for the title as she prepares to meet fourth seed Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan, who overcame No 8 seed Wan-Ting Liu of China 6-3, 6-2.
Results (quarter-finals): Natsumi Hamamura (Jpn) bt Remi Tezuka (Jpn) 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (5); Stefanie Voegele (Sui) bt 5-Nina Bratchikova (Rus) 6-2, 6-3; 4-Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzb) bt Wan-Ting Liu (Chn) 6-3, 6-2; 2-Yan-Chong Chen (Chn) bt 6-Olga Panova (Rus) 6-1, 7-5.
Doubles (semi-finals): Stefanie Voegele/Olga Panova bt Sunitha Rao/Shiho Hisamatsu 7-6 (2), 6-3; Nina Bratchikova/Akgul Amanmuradova bt Nicole Clerico/Ksenia Palkina 6-4, 7-6 (5).
