Wozniacki to meet Stosur, Mirza set to face Schiavone in semifinals at Japan Women’s Open

Wozniacki advances to semis at Japan Women’s Open

OSAKA, Japan — Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki defeated Aleksandra Wozniak 6-2, 6-7 (1), 6-2 on Friday to advance to the semifinals of the Japan Women’s Open.

The top-seeded Dane broke the sixth-seeded Wozniak twice in the final set to beat the Canadian in 2 hours, 13 minutes at Utsubo Tennis Center.

The U.S. Open finalist improved to 5-0 against Wozniak and will face third-seeded Samantha Stosur in the semifinals on Saturday. Australia’s Stosur was a 6-1, 6-3 winner over American veteran Jill Craybas.

India’s Sania Mirza also advanced when second-seeded Marion Bartoli of France was forced to retire because of a right shoulder injury.

“It’s a problem with a tendon in my right shoulder. I felt it from the first point” said Bartoli, who pulled out with Mirza leading 6-4, 2-0.

Mirza’s semifinal opponent will be fourth-seeded Italian Francesca Schiavone, who advanced when No. 7 Melinda Czink of Hungary withdrew before the match with a right foot injury.