Pegula, Paul storm into Adelaide semis

ADELAIDE, Australia (AFP) — Top seeds Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul both powered into the Adelaide International semifinals on Thursday with straight-set wins as they play themselves into form days before the Australian Open.

The American duo allowed their opponents few chances in quarter-final routs, with Pegula dispatching fatigued compatriot Ashlyn Krueger 6-4, 2-0 through retirement.

Krueger, a lucky loser from qualifying, was feeling the effects of nine matches over the past 12 days in Brisbane and Adelaide.

World No. 7 Pegula, last year’s US Open finalist, played doubles with Krueger this week and knew her partner was tired.

“It’s never fun to win with a retirement,” said the 30-year-old, who will face either Yulia Putintseva or world No. 13 Diana Shnaider for a place in the final.

“I knew she had a tough singles yesterday. But coming out you never know what to expect, she was still playing amazing tennis.”

Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova earned her first top-10 win in over a year when she ousted world number eight and second seed Emma Navarro, 6-4, 6-4.

Samsonova will face either third seed Daria Kasatkina or Madison Keys next.

In the men’s draw, Paul duplicated his final-four place in Adelaide from 2020 with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Australian Rinky Hijikata.

He will now face Canadian fifth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who defeated American Marcos Giron 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.

“That’s a big match,” said Paul, who is seeking a fifth ATP Tour title.

“The more time on court the better for me.”

Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic surged into the last four with a 6-2, 6-3 defeat of French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi.

His reward is a clash with American second seed Sebastian Korda, who had a walkover after Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis pulled out.