Top seeds Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania and hometown favorite Akgul Amanmuradova were quarterfinal losers Thursday at the Tashkent Open. Fifth-seeded Monica Niculescu knocked off the top-seeded Dulgheru in a battle of Romanians, 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-3, while seventh-seeded Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia toppled the second-seeded Akgul Amanmuradova of the host nation, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3. Amanmuradova was a finalist at her home event in 2005 and again last year. Niculescu, who will turn 23 years old on Saturday, has needed three sets to win each of her first three matches and will play in a WTA Tour semifinal for the first time in her career. She has found success at this event for the third straight year, having been a quarterfinalist in 2008 and 2009. Kudryavtseva is riding a hot streak, as she reached her first career WTA singles final last week at Guangzhou. She will next face fellow Russian Evgeniya Rodina, who advanced to her first career WTA semifinal with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 victory over Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele. Read more: http://www.9news.com/sports/tennis/article.aspx?storyid=154466&catid=616
