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Kostyuk KO's Raducanu but Halep through

3 minute read

Top seeds Simona Halep and Anett Kontaveit both eased into the semi-finals of the Transylvanian Open but No.3 seed Emma Raducana was thrashed by Marta Kostyuk.

SIMONA HALEP.
SIMONA HALEP. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Simona Halep has moved into the semi-finals of the Transylvanian Open with an easy victory over Romanian compatriot Jaqueline Cristian.

The former world No.1, currently ranked No.18, continued her good form since returning from injury to win 6-1 6-1.

Halep said she had been troubled by back pain in her quarter-final but she said after defeating Cristian: "I treated my back yesterday and this morning. I feel better and happy I could win. It was much better today, I tried to forget about it and just enjoy."

In the last four she will meet 19-year-old Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk who produced an impressive performance to sweep aside US Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-2 6-1 in less than an hour.

The Briton at least has the consolation she and her Romanian father can now travel from Cluj, where the tournament is held, and visit her grandmother, who lives in Bucharest.

"I wasn't physically feeling 100 per cent," said the 18-year-old. "I was quite tired and lethargic today but all credit to Marta. I knew from practice that I was tired, I just couldn't get it going.

"It's disappointing that you have these days, it's not a nice feeling to have. I just need to move on from it and brush it off and then I'll be back in another tournament soon."

Asked whether this week's exertions were to blame for her fatigue, Raducanu added: "I think it's the last six months.

"It's been a lot of learning and I have experienced a lot with no gaps. I'm just adapting to the fast-paced life of the tour and still very new to it. It's still going to take me some time to adjust."

Raducanu lost her opening service game from 40-15 up and Kostyuk, said: "Honestly I don't know how I won the first game. I was 15-40 down, she had advantage, she was serving, and I think that's where everything started. I somehow won that game and I gained this confidence."

There was another straight-sets win for second-seed Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, who defeated Anhelina Kalinina 6-3, 6-1. She faces Sweden's Rebecca Peterson who, in the most competitive quarter-final, beat Lesia Tsurenko, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Both losing quarter-finalists, like Kostyuk, are Ukrainian.

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