Rakhimova through to semi-finals in Rabat

Kamilla Rakhimova edged out Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto, the No 7 seed, 7-5, 7-5 to reach the semi-finals of the Rabat Open at Union Sportive des Cheminots du Maroc on Thursday night.

Rakhimova, ranked No 105, will play Egyptian Mayar Sherif on Friday.

Ahead of her victory, the 22-year-old Russian benefited from the retirements of American Taylor Townsend (at 2-0 in the first set) and Italian qualifier Camilla Rosatello (at 4-0 in the first set).

Cocciaretto, ranked No 52, previously defeated Moroccan wildcard Yasmine Kabbaj (6-3, 6-4) and China’s Zhuoxuan Bai (6-4, 6-2).

Rabat WTA 250, other last eight results (Union Sportive des Cheminots du Maroc, clay, USD 267.082, most recent results first):

• Mayar Sherif beat Sara Sorribes Tormo (3): 6-3, 6-3
• Peyton Stearns beat Lucia Bronzetti (4): 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
• Viktoriya Tomova beat Laura Siegemund: 6-4, 6-3