Makarova knocks out Kuznetsova, advances to Eastbourne semifinals

Qualifier Ekaterina Makarova, having already taken out 6th seed Flavia Pennetta and Nadia Petrova in Eastbourne, continued her surprise run today by defeating wild card Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 7-5. Makarova is ranked number 100 in the world.

8th seed Marion Bartoli and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez played for over two hours and 50 minutes, producing only four breaks of serve. Martinez Sanchez hit an impressive fifteen aces, but the 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 victory went to Bartoli.

Wild card Elena Baltacha took 3rd seed Sam Stosur to three sets, with Stosur winning, 6-7, 6-1, 6-0. Stosur also hit fifteen aces.

Finally, Victoria Azarenka upset 5th seed Kim Clijsters, 7-6, 6-4. Azarenka played with tape beneath both of her knees, and appeared to experience some pain during one point in the match. Azarenka has struggled for some time with problems with her knees and her thigh.

In the semifinals, Makarova will play Stosur, and Bartoli will play Azarenka.