Monastir Open: Mertens advances to semi-finals

Belgian Elise Mertens, the No 5 seed, advanced to the semi-finals of the Monastir Open by edging out Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 at the Monastir Tennis Club on Friday evening.

Mertens, ranked No 42, will play American Claire Liu, who upset home favourite Ons Jabeur, next.

The Belgian won against Romanian Jaqueline Cristian (6-1, 6-1) and Greek qualifier Despina Papamichail (5-7, 6-1, 6-2) ahead of her victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Uchijima, ranked No 124, beat Russian Kamilla Rakhimova (6-3, 6-3) and Croat Petra Martic, the No 4 seed (7-5, 7-6 (5)).

Monastir WTA 250, other last eight results (Monastir Tennis Club, hard, USD 251.750, most recent results first):

• Claire Liu beat Ons Jabeur (1): 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
• Veronika Kudermetova (2) beat Diane Parry: 6-4, 6-1
• Alize Cornet (3) beat Tamara Zidansek: 7-5, 7-6 (7)