Parma Ladies Open: Schmiedlova reaches final

Slovak Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, the top seed, beat Pole qualifier Katarzyna Kawa 7-5, 7-5 to advance to the final of the Parma Ladies Open on Friday evening.

Schmiedlova, ranked No 58, will play Romanian Ana Bogdan, the second seed, next.

The Slovak won against Frenchwoman Carole Monnet (6-3, 6-4), Hungarian Reka Luca Jani (6-3, 6-2) and Slovenian Kaja Juvan, the No 6 seed (6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-4) ahead of her victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Kawa, ranked No 246, defeated Latvian Darja Semenistaja (6-1, 6-3), Spaniard Aliona Bolsova, the No 8 seed (6-4, 6-4) and Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (6-2, 4-6, 6-3).