Safarova, Siniakova lead Czech charge into Moscow semis

Published February 05, 2015

Moscow, Russia (SportsNetwork.com) - Lucie Safarova and qualifier Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic were among the quarterfinal winners Friday at the Kremlin Cup.

The fourth-seeded Safarova knocked off Russian veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6-4, 7-5, while Siniakova went the distance in a 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 7-5 win over Italy's Camila Giorgi.

Safarova, a semifinalist at this event in 2011, and Siniakova could meet in an all-Czech final on Sunday, but must first navigate the semifinals on Saturday.

Next for Safarova will be Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu, who rallied for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 win Friday against Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova. Safarova hasn't been to a final since winning last year's Quebec City title. She was a surprise semifinalist at Wimbledon in July.

Siniakova will next play sixth-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 winner Friday over fellow Russian Vitalia Diatchenko. Pavlyuchenkova, the Paris Indoors winner back in February, lost in the semifinals of this event last year, falling to eventual champion Simona Halep.

Diatchenko. a qualifier this week, took out top seed and 2011 champion Dominika Cibulkova in the second round on Thursday.

The 2014 Moscow champ will claim $120,000.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/safarova-siniakova-lead-czech-charge-into-moscow-semis