Brussels and Strabourg: Day 4 round-up

QFs are complete and the last 4 have emerged.

Brussels:

(1) Agnieszka Radwanska def. (WC) Alison Van Uytvanck 6-2 6-1
Simona Halep def. (4) Dominika Cibulkova 0-6 6-4 6-3
(8) Kaia Kanepi def. Tsvetana Pironkova 6-3 6-1
Sofia Arvidsson def. (Q) Urzsula Radwanska 7-5 6-4

Strasbourg:

(2) Francesca Schiavone def. Johanna Larsson 6-0 6-3
(WC) Alize Cornet def. (4) Anabel Medina Garrigues 7-6(2) 7-6(5)
Pauline Parmentier def. (Q) Alexandra Panova 6-3 6-3
Sloane Stephens def. Ayumi Morita 6-3 6-4

Post-match analysis:

Simona Halep def. (4) Dominika Cibulkova 0-6 6-4 6-3

What a turn around by Simona after being bagelled in the first set! After toughing out the 2nd set, Simona cleaned up her act and got her well deserved win. As expected, there were plenty breaks of serves for these 2 petite ladies. Despite being white-washed, Simona still fought gallantly and emerged as the worthy winner of this match. Well done to this young Romanian.

(2) Francesca Schiavone def. Johanna Larsson 6-0 6-3

Is Francesca back? She takes out dangerous Swede, Johanna Larsson comprehensively. I thought the Swede will trouble Francesca but she played well and proved me wrong. It seems that Francesca is slowly gaining back her form. Let's hope she can continue this winning ways in Paris.

(WC) Alize Cornet def. (4) Anabel Medina Garrigues 7-6(2) 7-6(5)

Finally a good win for the Frenchwoman! Alize was poised for the top 10 3 years ago, peaking at 11 and pushing then world number 1 Dinara Safina all the way in Australian Open. However, she lost that heartbreaker and went into a free-fall after that, even plunging out of the top 100. This is a good sign for Alize as she tries to get her ranking back, defeating Anabel on a clay court is no mean feat. Alize looks good for a place in a final as she tries to peak for Paris.