Top-seed out at Guangzhou International

GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Top-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues lost a tough three-set match Friday in the quarterfinals of the $175,000 Guangzhou International tennis tournament in China.

Medina Garrigues, who was runner-up in the Guangzhou event last year, took the first set in a tie-breaker but couldn’t hold off Anastassia Rodionova as she lost 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-3.

Rodionova moves into the tournament semifinals against Tzipora Obziler, who defeated Ioana Raluca Olaru 2-6, 1-6, 7-5 on Friday.

No. 2-seeded Virginie Razzano posted the only straight-set victory over the quarterfinals, dispatching Ruano Pascual 6-3, 6-1. Her semifinal opponent is fourth-seeded Dominika Cibulkova, who beat Alicia Molik 6-7 (7-9), 6-1, 6-4 in her quarterfinal.

Saturday’s winners move into the title match on Sunday, with the tournament champion winning $25,855.