Defending champ Szavay into Budapest home semis

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) -Defending champion Agnes Szavay cheered home fans by reaching the semifinals of the Budapest Grand Prix with a 6-3, 6-1 rout of 2008 champion Alize Cornet of France on Friday.

The seventh-seeded Szavay reversed a loss to Cornet two years ago with six breaks of serve.

Next, she'll face second-seeded Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania, who defeated Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 6-7 (1), 6-2, 7-6.

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Dulgheru, who overcame a twisted ankle, became more aggressive in the second set instead of staying on the baseline and was able to rally for the victory.

Unseeded veteran Patty Schnyder, who lost to Szavay in last year's final, followed her win over top-seeded Alisa Kleybanova by removing No. 8 Polana Hercog of Slovenia, who has a training base in Budapest, 7-5, 1-6, 6-4.

Schnyder will next play Zuzana Ondraskova of the Czech Republic, who beat fourth-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain a third straight time, 7-5, 1-6, 6-4.

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