Osaka, Japan (My Sportsbook) - Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki needed three sets on Friday, but advanced to the semifinals at the HP Japan Women's Open. Wozniacki, the top seed and defending champion, defeated sixth seed Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada, 6-2, 6-7 (1-7), 6-2. This has already been a spectacular year for Wozniacki, who has won three titles this year and has been to five other championship matches. India's Sania Mirza advanced in a shorter than usual match. She was ahead 6-4, 2-0 when second-seeded Marion Bartoli of France retired due to a right shoulder injury. Fourth-seeded Francesca Schiavone of Italy moved to the final four without even playing on Friday. That's because her opponent, Melinda Czink of Hungary, pulled out of the quarterfinal match with a right foot injury. Schiavone will next face Mirza. The other quarterfinal saw third seed Samantha Stosur of Australia playing the late match against American Jill Craybas. The winner of this match will play Wozniacki in the semifinals. This week's winner will collect $37,000. |
