Wozniacki moves in Aegon semis

Former champions Caroline Wozniacki and Ekaterina Makarova headed in different directions in the Aegon International quarter-finals.

Wozniacki, champion in 2009, held off a strong challenge from Camila Giorgi of Italy 6-7, 6-4, 6-2. Makarova, the 2010 champ from Russia, fell to fifth-seed Angelique Kerber 6-2, 6-1, with the German avenging her second-round defeat to Makarova last year.

Meanwhile, 2011 Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova withdrew with a right hamstring injury but expects to play in Wimbledon next week.

“It was not as easy as the score said, because there were tough rallies,” Kerber said. “She’s a great player on grass, so I was just focusing on me, trying to be aggressive and take my chances. I did a good job.”

Kvitova’s withdrawal gave British wild card Heather Watson a walkover into the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, in the men’s draw, top-seed Richard Gasquet also reached the semis, beating Slovak Martin Klizan 6-3, 6-4. It is his third semi-final of the year and comes after he was sidelined for more than three months with a back injury.

Gasquet is playing only his third tournament since March, and admits that although he is progressing he is still not fully fit.

“It’s always difficult to come back,” Gasquet said. “You are questioning yourself every day on your body. I’m not 100 percent on my game and everything, but I’m playing better and better. I served well. I could play with power.”

Gasquet will next play Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, who beat Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France 7-6, 6-2. American Sam Querrey is also into the semi-finals after beating Frenchman Julien Benneteau 7-6, 6-4.