Russian Veronika Kudermetova, world No.13, qualified for the first WTA 1000 semi-final of her career in Madrid at the expense of world No.3 Jessica Pegula 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 on Wednesday .
For a place in the final, Kudermetova (26) will face either the world No.1 Iga Swiatek or the Croatian Petra Martic (33rd), opposed in the evening.
Against Pegula, outgoing finalist in the Spanish capital (then beaten by Jabeur), she was strapped in both thighs at the end of the second round. Kudermetova has needed three sets to escape in each of her four matches played since the start of the Madrid tournament. The Russian player had never made it past the quarter-finals in the WTA 1000 before.
