Australian star Jarmila Groth (AUS) is set to meet doubles partner Klara Zakopalova (CZE) in a blockbuster semifinal on day six of the Moorilla Hobart International.
Groth recorded a comfortable straight sets victory against Roberta Vinci (ITA), while Zakopalova upset top seed Marion Bartoli (FRA) in their quarterfinals on day five.
The No.6 seed produced a commanding display against Vinci, who is ranked only one place higher than the Australian.
“I think I played well… she’s [Vinci] a tricky player, she’s a great slicer, she’s not easy to play because it stays very low and you never know where she’s going to hit it to,” Groth said.
“I’ll just try to do what I’ve been doing…work on the right things and try to do the right things, and hopefully it’s going to be good enough.
“She’s [Zakopalova] is a very good friend of mine so we always play very well against each other.”
Groth and Zakopalova have faced each other on three occasions, with the Australian winning only one of their encounters. As a doubles pair, Groth and Zakopalova reached the second round of last year’s US Open.
“I’ll have to play my best tomorrow and we’ll see,” Zakopalova said.
“It’s always very tough playing against your friends… but it is tennis so we have to fight.”
In the tournament’s second semifinal, Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) will meet Shuai Peng (CHN) after the American continued her impressive form after last week’s victory in the Hopman Cup.
Moorilla Hobart International 2011 series packages and single sessions are on sale now, with ticket prices starting from $9.90.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au or 1300 888 104.