Cohen-Aloro takes rare semifinal spot

BARCELONA, Spain, June 13 (UPI) -- Stephanie Cohen-Aloro qualified for her second career WTA semifinal Friday at the $145,000 Barcelona KIA tennis tournament in Spain.

Cohen-Aloro hasn't played in the semifinal round of a WTA event since 2004 but swept past Ekaterina Ivanova, 6-2, 6-1, in Friday's quarterfinals to end that drought.

Her opponent Saturday will be second-seeded Maria Kirilenko who got by Edina Gallovits, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1. Kirilenko is the only seeded player remaining in the tournament field.

The other semifinal has Nuria Llagostera Vives meeting Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, guaranteeing the home-standing Spaniards a slot in the finals.

Llagostera Vives was ahead, 6-2, 4-1, Friday when fourth-seeded Lucia Safarova retired with a right hamstring injury. Martinez Sanchez came back for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Sara Errani in her quarterfinal.

The winners of Saturday's matches will square off Sunday with the KIA title and $22,900 at stake.