Szavay dumps Hantuchova in Paris
The Budapest fought back after being 0-3 down in the first set to achieve her second win over 24-year-old Hantuchova.
Hungary's Agnes Szavay advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA Paris Indoor Open here on Friday when she eliminated second seed Daniela Hantuchova in straight sets.
Seventh seed Szavay came through 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 winner over the Slovak in 1hr 39min to set up a meeting with either fourth seed Elena Dementieva of Russia or Kateryna Bondarenko of the Ukraine for a place in the final.
The 19-year-old from Budapest fought back after being 0-3 down in the first set to achieve her second win over 24-year-old Hantuchova after New Haven last year.
Szavay, ranked 20th, fought off a break which would have allowed world number eight Hantuchova take a 5-1 lead in the first set, to claw her way back to 4-4.
Three aces allowed her hold serve for 5-5 but Hantuchova held on to force a tie-break before losing the first set after an hour on court.
The Hungarian dominated the second set as Hantuchova, despite a strong early start was treated for blisters on her right hand, multiplying her errors with 27 - twice as many of her opponent.
Szavay wrapped up the tie on her second match point as the Slovak hit wide.
It is just the sixth time she has reached the semi-final in a WTA event.
She made her breakthrough last year claiming titles at Palermo and Beijing, but has struggled this season failing to get past the first round of the two tournaments she played in at the Gold Coast and the Australian Open.