Safarova advances at Estoril

ESTORIL, Portugal, May 4 (UPI) -- Former champion Lucie Safarova was among Friday's quarterfinal winners at the women's Estoril Open at Estoril, Portugal.

The third-seeded Safarova, from the Czech Republic, was a 7-5, 6-3, winner over Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino.

"It was a pretty tough match today," said the 20-year-old Safarova, who captured the tournament in 2005. "She was playing high topspin and I just had to wait for a winner."

Also advancing to Saturday's semifinals were Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives, German qualifier Greta Arn and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

Llagostera Vives was leading top-seeded Marion Bartoli, 6-2, 3-1, when the Frenchwoman retired with an abdominal strain.

Arn beat Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson, 6-2, 6-2, and Azarenka was a 6-1, 6-2, winner over Argentina's Gisela Dulko.

In the semis, Safarova plays Azarenka, while Arn faces Llagostera Vives.

Sunday's champion will receive $21,140.