Hogenkamp beats Denisa to enter Korean quarters

Seoul, Sept. 20: Richel Hogenkamp beat big-hitting Czech Denisa Allertova 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday to reach the Korea Open quarterfinals, as she fights to return to the top 100.

It is the first time the Dutch 25-year-old has reached a quarter-final on hardcourts and afterwards said she had been focused on keeping her opponent guessing.

“She likes a strike zone at about hip level, so by mixing it up, I was able to get her to make some more mistakes. I think it was a good tactic,” said Hogenkamp, who is ranked 119.

She will now face either fellow Dutch player

This is the first time the 25-year-old has reached a quarter-final on hardcourts.

Hogenkamp will now face either fellow Dutch player Arantxa Rus or Australia’s Priscilla Hon for a spot in the final four.

Elsewhere, Luksika Kumkhum won a 6-3, 6-3 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Arantxa Rus or Australia’s Priscilla Hon for a spot in the final four.

Elsewhere, Thai Luksika Kumkhum won a 6-3, 6-3 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova and will next play no. 4 seed Sorana Cirstea or surging American Nicole Gibbs.

— AFP RESULTS Women’s singles second round: Luksika

Kumkhum (THA) bt Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS) 6-3, 6-3; Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) bt Irina Begu (ROM, x5) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2; Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) bt Na-Lae Han (KOR) 6-1, 6-2; Richel Hogenkamp (NED) bt Denisa Allertova (CZE) 6-4, 6-4.

First round: Kristie Ahn (USA) bt Tatjana Maria (GER, x6) 7-5, 7-5.