Pliskova, Giorgi reach Linz semis
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Linz, Austria (SportsNetwork.com) - Seventh seed Karolina Pliskova and Italy's Camila Giorgi were among the quarterfinal winners at the Generali Ladies Linz tennis event.
The Czech Pliskova, who titled in Seoul last month, subdued American qualifier Madison Brengle 6-4, 6-4 in Friday's nightcap at TipsArena Linz.
Pliskova's semifinal opponent will be another qualifier, Germany's Anna-Lena Friedsam.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A pair of Italians reached the final four, as Giorgi handled New Zealand's Marina Erakovic 6-3, 7-5 and Karin Knapp outlasted Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Giorgi and Knapp will square off in an all-Italian semi on Saturday.
One other quarterfinal saw the 20-year-old upstart Friedsam overcome Swiss Stefanie Voegele 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
The 2014 Linz titlist will earn $43,000.