Obziler, Razzano win at Guangzhou

GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Virginie Razzano and Tzipora Obziler were semifinal winners Saturday at the Guangzhou International Open at Guangzhou, China.

The second-seeded Razzano, from France, rallied for a 3-6, 6-1, 6-1, victory over fourth-seeded Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia. Obziler was leading Russia's Anastasia Rodionova, 6-1, 3-1, when Rodionova retired because of heat illness.

The 34-year-old Obziler, ranked 105th in the world, advanced to a final of a WTA tournament for the first time in 17 years as a professional. Her best previous finishes were a semifinal appearance at this tournament last year, and a semifinal appearance in Bangalore, India, in February.

Sunday's meeting will be the first ever between the two, with the winner claiming a first-prize check of $25,855.