Top-seeded Petra Martic and fourth-seeded Anett Kontaveit advanced to the semifinals of the Palermo Ladies Open on Friday. This is the first tour-level event in five months.
Martic beat qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich in a tight battle with both sets going to the tie-breaker 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) and then Kontaveit defeated Italian teenager Elisabetta Cocciaretto in a three-setter 6-1, 4-6, 6-1.
The other semifinal will feature Fiona Ferro of France against local favourite Camila Giorgi of Italy.
Ferro eliminated two-time Palermo champion Sara Errani 6-4, 6-1; and Giorgi had to save two match points in the second set before finding a way past seventh-seeded Dayana Yastremska in a thee-hour battle 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3.
It will be Giorgi’s second career semifinal on clay.
You’ve read Scroll.
Now help sustain it
Scroll is funded by readers, not corporate owners. If you believe our work matters, support our newsroom. Become a member today!
We’re not driven by clicks or corporate interests – just honest, independent reporting. Keep us going. Support Scroll today!