Czech Iveta Benesova has beaten Argentine Gisela Dulko 6-4 6-4 to set up a semifinal against Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova at the Moorilla Hobart International.
“It’s important for me to win a few matches at the beginning of the season, which I’m happy with, and I hope I can do well next week (at the Australian Open),” Benesova told reporters.
“My game is going pretty good so far – the semis here is not bad – we’ll see if it can be better.”
Benesova said she has never played Rybarikova, but recognises her an up-and-coming young player with a big serve.
Rybarikova went through to the semifinals after beating qualifier Melinda Czink of Hungary in a tiebreak, 6-0 1-6 7-6 (9-7) earlier today.
Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano is playing Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova, who knocked out the No.2 seed Patty Schnyder in the first round, in one of the other quarterfinals.
The winner of that match will play in the other semifinal against the winner of the night game between powerful Czech Petra Kvitora and Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.