New Haven, CT – Top-seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki ousted American Christina McHale in the quarterfinal round at the $618,000 New Haven Open tennis event, a final U.S. Open tuneup.
Wozniacki, the current No. 1-ranked women's player, is gunning for her fourth consecutive victory at this tournament. She defeated Russian Nadia Petrova in last year's final to capture a third straight New Haven championship.
Second-seed Li Na of China defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. Li experienced a slight lull in dropping the second set, but rallied back to thump Pavlyuchenkova in the third on the hardcourts at Yale University. Li was this year's French Open champion and Australian Open runner-up.
Third seed and French Open runner-up Francesca Schiavone of Italy advanced to the semis by virtue of a walk-over victory against Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain, who retired after suffering a right knee injury.
In the other quarterfinal match of the day, Petra Cetkovska upset fourth- seeded Marion Bartoli 7-5, 7-5. Cetkovska needed one hour and 46 minutes to dispatch Bartoli and secure her place in the semifinals.
The start time for Saturday's final was moved up four hours to 1 p.m. (et) due to potential disruptions caused by Hurricane Irene.
The 2011 New Haven titlist will earn $103,000.
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