Krajicek, Amanmuradova stage upsets to reach finals

Associated Press October 8 Dutch teenager Michaella Krajicek and Uzbekistan's Akgul Amanmuradova both staged upsets Saturday to reach the final of the Tashkent Open. The fifth-seeded Krajicek knocked out top-seeded Ekaterina Bychkova of Russia 6-1, 6-3, and wild card Amanmuradova beat seventh-seeded Maria Elena Camerin of Italy 6-3, 6-4. Krajicek and Amanmuradova were both playing in their first WTA semifinals. The 16-year-old Krajicek broke Bychkova in the opening game and won three consecutive games to take the lead. After trading breaks early in the second set, Krajicek made a decisive break in the fourth game and closed the match in 60 minutes. "I'm very pleased with my game but I've expected more resistance from Bychkova ," said Krajicek, who beat the Russian in their two previous matches. "It was not my day. It was not my court and I've just adjusted to the balls," Bychkova said. After trading breaks early in the opening set, Amanmuradova - ranked 257th in the world - capitalized on Camerin's double fault in the fourth game to break again and take the lead. She needed one more break in the fifth game of the second set to win in 63 minutes. Amanmuradova, ranked 257th in the world, received a wild card at her home event for the sixth time, but had never made it past the first round. Camerin later paired with Emelie Loit of France to win her second doubles title, beating the Russian duo of Anastassia Rodionova and Galina Voskoboeva 6-3, 6-0.