Iasi Open: Zidansek advances to semi-finals after Astakhova retirement

Slovenian Tamara Zidansek, the No 8 seed, moved into the last four of the Iasi Open when Russian Darya Astakhova retired at Baza Sportivă Ciric on Friday evening.

Zidansek, ranked No 139, led 6-3, 3-3 when Astakhova, ranked No 205, pulled out on Friday evening at Baza Sportivă Ciric.

The Slovenian will face Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu, the top seed, next.

Tamara Zidansek won against Russian qualifier Anastasia Tikhonova (6-4, 6-2) and Romanian wildcard Andreea Prisacariu (6-2, 6-4) earlier in the tournament.

In the previous rounds, the 21-year-old Russian defeated American Elvina Kalieva (4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3) and Slovak qualifier Veronika Erjavec (6-2, 7-5).

Iasi WTA 125K Series, other quarter-finals results (Baza Sportivă Ciric, clay, USD 115.000, most recent results first):

• Irina-Camelia Begu beat Jil Teichmann (6): 1-6, 6-4, 6-0
• Ana Bogdan (2) beat Simona Waltert (5): 6-0, 6-4
• Raluka Serban beat Laura Pigossi (7): 7-6 (8), 7-5