Unseeded Czech veteran Barbora Strycova earned the most impressive win of the still-early season, outlasting former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, 7-5, 6-7(6), 6-4, to reach the semifinals of the Apia International Sydney.

    Strycova last played Wozniacki two years ago at this very tournament, where the Dane retired due to injury. But both women were in rare form on Wednesday, battling for a whopping three hours under the hot Sydney sun.

    The first set featured seven breaks of serve, and though Wozniacki was able to level proceedings as Strycova served at 5-4, the No.10 seed lost the final two games and started the second set in need of momentum.

    Wozniacki found some as she raced ahead 3-0, but found herself a game from elimination as she lost five of the next six games.

    Strycova couldn't serve it out but grabbed a 5-0 lead in the ensuing tie-break. The two-time US Open runner-up ran off an impressive streak to steal the second set and earn a 3-1 lead in the decider.

    She found her footing when it mattered most, coming out on top of a trio of service breaks to earn a crucial hold in the ninth game and put herself into her first semifinal in Sydney.

Source: QNA