PRAGUE: Second seed Barbora Krejcikova eased into the quarter-finals of the Prague Open with a 6-4 6-2 victory over fellow Czech Lucie Havlickova on Thursday.
The 2021 champion created 12 break-point opportunities, converting three while saving the only break point she faced to seal a comfortable win. Krejcikova is seeking her first semi-final appearance in Prague since lifting the title four years ago.
Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee produced one of the day’s biggest comebacks, defeating fourth seed Nikola Bartunkova of the Czech Republic 7-6(4) 3-6 7-6(6).
Tararudee recovered from 5-2 down in the deciding set and saved four match points before prevailing in a contest lasting more than three hours.
Third seed Sara Bejlek needed little more than an hour to dispatch Maria Timofeeva 6-1 6-1 and book a quarter-final meeting with Austria’s Lilli Tagger, who beat Japan’s Mai Hontama 6-4 6-4.
Elsewhere, top seed Oleksandra Oliynykova battled into the quarter-finals of the tournament in Germany with a 7-6(3) 3-6 6-2 victory over Spain’s Leyre Romero Gormaz.
The Ukrainian overcame 11 break points, saving four, while breaking her opponent seven times to progress.
Oliynykova will next face Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan, who upset seventh seed Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-3 2-6 6-2 after breaking her opponent nine times.
Egypt’s Mayar Sherif also advanced with a 6-2 6-3 win over France’s Elsa Jacquemot and will meet Spain’s Paula Badosa, who defeated third seed Panna Udvardy of Hungary 6-4 6-1 in the quarter-finals. (Reuters)
