By Erik Gudris

Bojana Jovanovski Reaches Baku Cup 2012 Semifinal

(July 26, 2012) -- It was a long and busy day for the eight quarterfinalists competing at the Baku Cup, but after almost ten and a half hours of combined play, four women booked their spots into the semifinals.

American Julia Cohen, playing in only her third career WTA event, reached her first ever WTA semi with a come from behind 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Magdalena Rybarikova who had only dropped three games all week before today.

Cohen wasn't the only who had to fight back after dropping the first set as the other three quarterfinals were won by those who lost the opening set. In an all Serbian battle, Bojana Jovanovski reached her second semi of the year after beating Aleksandra Krunic 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-3 in an over three hour, sixteen minute battle that included a 90-minute second set. The Jovanovski/Krunic match was the second longest main WTA draw match contended so far this year.

Jovanovski will next face No. 2 seed Alexandra Panova who rallied from a set down to beat Nina Bratchikova 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 after Bratchikova served for the match in the second set.

Russia's Olga Puchkova upset No. 3 seed Mandy Minella 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the shortest match of the day that ended at just under two hours. Puchkova will take on Cohen in tomorrow's semi.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)