Cibulkova reaches Malaysian Open semis

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - APRIL 18: Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in action during day one of the Malaysian Tennis Open at The Royal Selangor Golf Club on April 18, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by How Foo Yeen/Getty Images)

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - APRIL 18: Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in action during day one of the Malaysian Tennis Open at The Royal Selangor Golf Club on April 18, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by How Foo Yeen/Getty Images)

Published Apr 18, 2014

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World number 10 Dominika Cibulkova narrowly beat Kazakhstan's Zarina Diyas to advance into the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open.

The Slovakian top seed struggled against sixth seed and world number 93 Diyas, losing the first set before eventually gaining the upper hand for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 win.

Cibulkova, 24, who is seeking her fifth career WTA Tour title, will now meet third seed and defending champion Karolina Pliskova.

The Czech world number 75 defeated Turkey's Cagla Buyukakcay 6-4, 6-4 in her quarter-final.

Second seed Zhang Shuai of China secured her semi-final place and will face seventh seed Donna Vekic Saturday.

Zhang, the world number 45, defeated Magda Linette of Poland 6-2, 2-6, 6-1, becoming the first Chinese to reach the competition's semi-finals.

“I was emotional after winning,” said the 25-year-old, who has come back after suffering from a shoulder injury.

Croatia's Vekic, who at 17 is the youngest player in the main draw, beat fourth seed Patricia Mayr-Achleitner of Austria 6-4, 7-5.– AFP

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