Schiavone into semis; Bertens exits Marrakech
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Former French Open winner Francesca Schiavone moved into the semifinals, while defending Moroccan Grand Prix champion Kiki Bertens went by way of the quarterfinal upset Friday at this $235,000 WTA event.
The sixth-seeded Italian veteran Schiavone upended third-seeded Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 6-4, 6-4, while Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino took out the fifth-seeded Dutchwoman Bertens in 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 fashion.
Bertens bested Spaniard Laura Pous Tio in last year's clay-court Moroccan Grand Prix finale in Fes.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Meanwhile, South African Chanelle Scheepers ousted seventh-seeded Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic 6-1, 6-2 and Luxembourg's Mandy Minella outlasted Spaniard Silvia Soler-Espinosa 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in Marrakech.
Saturday's semis will pit Schiavone against Scheepers and Dominguez Lino versus Minella.
This week's champion will claim $40,000.