Irina Begu, back in the professional circuit after nearly seven months of absence, qualified for the semifinals of the WTA 125 tournament in Antalya (Turkey) on Friday, with total prizes of $115,000, after defeating Slovenian Polona Hercog 6-4, 6-4.
Begu (33 years old, 126 WTA), the fourth seed, secured the victory after one hour and 50 minutes.
Hercog (33 years old, 213 WTA) started stronger and led 2-0 and 3-2, but Begu won three consecutive games and ultimately triumphed 6-4. The Romanian had an excellent start to the second set, leading 4-0 and 5-1, Hercog closed in at 5-4, but Begu finished the match with 6-4.
Irina Begu secured her fifth victory in as many matches against Slovenian Hercog, the previous one dating back to 2021 when the Romanian won 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 in the round of 16 in Cleveland.
Begu earned a prize money of $5,300 and 49 WTA points.
Begu's opponent in the semifinals will be Japanese Moyuka Uchijima (22 years old, 151 WTA).