Top-seeded
Anastasia Myskina (d. (6) Castano) and No. 2 Anna-Lena Groenefeld (d. Sprem) both advanced into the semifinals in straight sets Thursday at the WTA stop in Istanbul.
"I didn't play such a great match, but at least I won," said Myskina, who edged the final set in a tiebreak. "I hope to play better tomorrow."
Also into the semis was No. 4
Shahar Peer who rolled No. 7
Mara Santangelo 6-1, 6-2, and unseeded 17-year-old Dutchwoman
Michaella Krajicek who slapped around Belarus'
Anastasiya Yakimova 6-1, 6-0.
In the semifinals Groenefeld will face Peer, and Myskina squares off against Krajicek.
"I played her in Stanford last year and I had a tough win against her," said Groenefeld of Peer. "She's already won two titles this year, so she's obviously playing well and always improving. I'm excited to play her, and I'll do my best to stay aggressive, just like I was today."
Myskina and Krajicek are a first-time meeting, while Groenefeld is 1-0 versus Peer.
