Azarenka reaches Spain tennis semis

MADRID: Former world number one Dinara Safina was forced to abandon his quarter-final against Victoria Azarenka seeded in Andalucia Tennis Championships because of an injury to his lower back.

Azarenka of Belarus, who won in Miami last week, was leading 5-1 when the Russian Safina, who has slipped to 81 in the standings, retired from the event in Marbella.

"I feel bad winning that way, especially against an opponent like Dinara Azarenka said at a news conference.

"She has suffered with her ​​injuries for a while and I hope she recovers quickly."

Azarenka will meet Sara Errani on Saturday in the semifinals after the eighth-seeded Italian fourth stage seed Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania 6-2 6-2.

The other pairs the second half Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia and Romania Irina Begu qualifier.

Wild card Kuztnetsova beat Spanish qualifier 6-1 6-2 and Lara Arruabarrena Begu surprised sixth-seeded Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic 6-3 6-3.