Romanian tennis player Irina Begu, ranked 35 in the WTA ranking of the best women's tennis players in the world, will play against Japanese Misaki Doi (No. 45 WTA) to reach the semifinals in Rome.

Begu got to the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia tournament in Rome after victories over Belorussian Victoria Azarenka, and Russian Daria Kasatkina.

Azarenka was one one of the tournament's favorites, but she lost to Begu in the competition's second round (6-3, 6-2 for the Romanian). Then, in the third round, the Romanian scored a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Daria Kasatkina.

It is the second time this month when Irina Begu reaches the quarterfinals of a top WTA tournament. In early May, Begu got to the quarter finals of the Mutua Madrid Open, after another important victory against local favorite Garbine Muguruza. She lost to compatriot Simona Halep, who won the tournament. Halep was eliminated in the second round in Rome.

Irina Begu has two singles career titles and three lost titles. Reaching the semifinals in Rome would be one of her top performances so far as the Internazionali BNL d'Italia is a Premier 5 tournament.

In the semifinals, Begu may play against WTA number one Serena Williams, who plays against Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarter finals.

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Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com