Erakovic a surprise semifinalist in Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Marina Erakovic earned her first semifinal berth of the year Friday with a surprising victory over No. 1 seed Daniela Hantuchova at the Bell Challenge.

Erakovic, who missed most of the 2010 campaign with a wrist injury, defeated Hantuchova 6-4, 6-4. That sets up a semifinal meeting with third-seeded Tamira Paszek, who ousted Heather Watson 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).

This will be the fourth time Erakovic has played a semifinal match in a WTA event. She reached the semifinals three times in 2009, but has never played for a tournament title.

The other semifinal will send Michaella Krajicek against No. 6 seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova. Krajicek breezed past fourth-seeded Rebecca Marino 6-1, 6-3 and Zahlavova Strycova was a 6-3, 7-5 winner over Andrea Hlavackova.