The title defence of Germany's Julia Goerges at the ASB Classic tennis tournament remains alive.
Julia Goerges Photo: PhotoSport
The world No 14 ended the return to Auckland of Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard with a three set victory, 3-6 6-3 7-6 (6), in blustery conditions in Auckland on Friday.
Goerges' successful fightback from a set down, in which she also saved a match point, booked her a semifinal against Slovakia's Viktoria Kuzmova.
The 50th-ranked Kuzmova was a 6-2 2-6 6-4 winner over Amanda Anisimova of the USA in the day's opening quarterfinal.
With the stiff summer breeze that had blown throughout the Kuzmova-Anisimova match persisting, it was Bouchard who was quickest to make the necessary adjustments.
The former world No 5 and Wimbledon finalist - who has risen back to 87th in the rankings after struggles with injury and form - got her nose in front and secured the first set.
However Goerges made the most of her fresh start, fighting hard for a break of serve before sending the contest to a decider.
There was little between the two players in the final set, where the quality of tennis was high considering the difficult conditions.
But having saved a match point at 5-4 down with a clutch second serve, it was Goerges who prevailed in the tiebreaker, eventually securing a semifinal berth on her third match point.
