PATTAYA, Thailand (AP)—Sorana Cirstea of Romania reached the Pattaya Open semifinals when top-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia retired with a left hip injury in the third set on Friday.
The quarterfinal was even at 2-6, 6-4, 2-2 when Zvonareva pulled out.
“I rushed too much in the first set. Then I tried to be more patient and made her play more while my serves and returns were better in the second set,” Cirstea said. “However, I didn’t notice that she was injured and was surprised she retired. I hope she will recover soon.”
Defending champion Daniela Hantuchova made the last four when she ousted Vania King of the United States 7-6 (7), 6-4.
Hantuchova has yet to drop a set in Pattaya since last year, and the Slovak remained unbeaten against King with a 7-0 record.
Next up will be Taiwanese qualifier Hsieh Su-wei, who beat Sania Mirza of India 7-5, 6-3.
“I wasn’t concerned much about reaching the semifinal. I just want to play one good match at a time,” Hsieh said.
The fourth-seeded Maria Kirilenko of Russia ended the local hopes for Tamarine Tanasugarn, 7-6 (2), 6-1.
Kirilenko moved into a semi with seventh-seeded Cirstea.