Kerber downs Watson to reach semis

World No. 1 faces fourth seeded Navarro, who eased past Cornet 6-1, 6-1

World No. 1 Angelique Kerber defeated defending champion Heather Watson 6-4, 6-4 on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the WTA tournament in Monterrey, Mexico.

Germany’s Kerber saved all eight break points she faced in a gritty display against Watson, setting up a semi-final clash with fourth-seeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro, who was a 6-1, 6-1 winner over French seventh seed Alize Cornet.

“I think it was a good match, especially at the end,” said Kerber, who made early breaks in each set stand up despite the pressure applied by Watson.

Three-time champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the second seed, battled through three sets to defeat fifth-seeded Hungarian Timea Babos 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.

Russia’s Pavlyuchenkova needed almost two hours to turn back a late charge from Babos.

In Miami, Mirjana LucicBaroni of Croatia bucked an upset

WTA Monterrey (x-denotes seeded player):

Quarter-finals: Angelique Kerber (GER x1) bt Heather Watson (GBR) 6-4, 6-4; Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP x4) bt Alize Cornet (FRA x7) 6-1, 6-1; Caroline Garcia (FRA x3) bt Julia Boserup (USA) 6-3, 6-2; Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x2) bt Tmmea Babos (HUN x5) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5. trend that claimed Caroline Wozniacki on Friday, ending the hopes of hometown favourite Shelby Rogers at the WTA event in Charleston, South Carolina.