Wozniacki takes three-set win in Japan

OSAKA, Japan, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki was pushed to three sets Friday but managed to get through to the semifinals of the $220,000 HP Japan Women's Open.

Wozniacki, the tournament's No. 1 seed, needed more than two hours to finish off a 6-2, 6-7 (1-7), 6-2 quarterfinal victory over Aleksandra Wozniak. She had six service breaks and dominated the first and third sets.

Third-seeded Samantha Stosur will go against Wozniacki in Saturday's semifinals. She was a 6-1, 6-3 winner over Jill Craybas in 64 minutes. Stosur took 59 percent of the points in the match and had her serve broken just once.

Saturday's other semifinal pairs fourth-seeded Francesca Schiavone against Sania Mirza, neither of whom completed a match Friday. Schiavone advanced when Melinda Czink withdrew prior to the quarterfinals because of a right foot injury. Mirza led second-seeded Marion Bartoli 6-4, 2-0 when Bartoli retired due to a right shoulder injury.

Saturday's semifinal winners move into the tournament title match Sunday. The HP Japan Women's Open champion will earn $37,000.