Garrigues Upset as Surprises Continue in Fes

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Tony Chang/Chang Photography

(April 26th, 2012) Being a top seed in Fes this week is proving to be less and less of an advantage.

At an event that is known for having surprise winners this year will be no exception as for the sixth time this season, one of the semifinalists is on her way to claiming her first ever career WTA title.

Top seed Anabel Medina Garrigues, who owns the most clay court titles of any active WTA player, was upset today in the quarterfinals by Romania's Simona Halep 6-2, 6-1. After reaching the quarterfinals of Barcelona the week before, Halep is continuing her good clay court form that she hopes will take her all the way this weekend.

"I played really well today," Halep told WTA.com. "She's a strong player and I went out there just trying to enjoy the match and play my best, which I did! I like this tournament a lot and I hope I will play another good match in the semifinals."

Halep will face surprise semifinalist Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands. Bertens, who had never won a main draw WTA match until this week, won against fellow qualifier Spain's Garbine Muguruza Blanco 6-1, 6-4.

No. 3 seed Petra Cetkovska also found herself exiting today as she was upset by lucky loser Mathilde Johansson of France 6-3, 6-4. Johansson, who lost her final match in qualifying, made it into the main draw after Ekaterina Makarova withdrew at the last minute.

Johansson will play Laura Pous-Tio in the semis after Pous-Tio defeated Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4, 6-1.