Carlsbad, CA – Top-seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli was pushed to three sets before downing fifth-seeded American Christina McHale, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals Friday at the $740,000 Mercury Insurance Open tennis event.
The former Wimbledon runner-up Bartoli overcame 11 double faults to advance to take on Yung-Jan Chan of Chinese Taipei. Chan upset third-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (10-8), 7-5 on the hardcourts at La Costa Resort and Spa.
Not only did Chan beat a former world No. 1 in Jankovic, but she continued what has been a magical run this week. She didn't even arrive to Carlsbad until last Saturday night because she was a doubles semifinalist in Stanford. Chan then had to win a pair of qualifying matches on Sunday just to reach the main draw.
Now Chan, ranked 161st in the world, has the opportunity to dethrone the 10th- ranked player in Bartoli.
Second-seeded Slovak Dominika Cibulkova took care of Poland's Urszula Radwanska in 6-4, 6-4 fashion on Day 5. Also, fourth seed Nadia Petrova of Russia defeated American Varvara Lepchenko, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5).
The 2012 Carlsbad champ will claim $96,000.
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