Defending champ Kvitova, Radwanska advance in New Haven
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) Defending champion Petra Kvitova needed just an hour Thursday night to beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-1 and move into the semifinals of the Connecticut Open, despite suffering from a cold.
Looking to join Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki as a four-time winner in the tournament, Kvitova overpowered the Olympic doubles champion, breaking her four times.
The Czech star will face top-seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the semifinals. Radwanska beat lucky loser Kirstin Flipkens of Belgium 6-1, 6-4.
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina advanced with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Russia's Elena Vesnina, Makarova's double's partner in Rio.
Svitolina will play Johanna Larsson, the 28-year-old Swede who upset second-seeded Roberta Vinci of Italy 7-6 (9), 6-1. Larsson lost in qualifying, but got into the main draw when Svetlana Kuznetsova withdrew because of a shoulder injury.
Svitolina is the third lucky loser to advance to a semifinal in New Haven.