Kvitova reaches New Haven semis

New Haven, CT – Reigning champion Petra Kvitova fought back Thursday to reach the semifinals at the New Haven Open, a final U.S. Open tune-up.

The third-seeded Czech slugger overcame Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5, on the hardcourts at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale University.

The former Wimbledon champion Kvitova topped Russian Maria Kirilenko in last year's New Haven finale.

Also on Day 5, surging Romanian Simona Halep beat Russian Ekaterina Makarova, 6-1, 7-6 (8-6).

The 21-year-old Halep is seeking her fourth title in seven tournaments.

The 2013 New Haven titlist will earn $117,000.