Caroline Wozniacki reaches Nature Valley International semi-finals as Karolina Pliskova exits Eastbourne

Defending champion Karolina Pliskova exits tournament after three-set defeat to word No 45 Aryna Sabalenka at Devonshire Park

Image: Caroline Wozniacki won the Eastbourne title in 2009

Top seed Caroline Wozniacki reached the Nature Valley International semi-finals with an assured victory over Ashleigh Barty.

The world No 2 faced a stern test in Ashleigh Barty but showed her greater experience to beat the Australian 6-4 6-3.

Wozniacki, who reached the final last year, is featuring in her first grass-court tournament of the season and will next meet former world No 1 Angelique Kerber, who battled past Daria Kasatkina 6-1 6-7 [3-7] 7-6 [7-3].

The Australian Open holder edged a tight opening set as she secured a decisive break of serve in the 10th game to take the initiative against Barty, who had won the Nottingham title earlier this month.

The second set saw both players earn two breaks of serve in the opening six games but it was Wozniacki who finished strongly to secure her fourth break of the match before she served out for victory.

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Former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska defeated Jelena Ostapenko in the opening quarter-final of the day to underline her grass-court credentials.

Image: Agnieszka Radwanska is a former Grand Slam finalist

Radwanska, former world No 2, is playing for the first time this week since April after recovering from back and hip injuries and she proved too strong for the former French Open champion, winning 6-2 7-5.

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The Pole will now play another unseeded player in Aryna Sabalenka after the Belarussian recorded an impressive victory over defending champion Karolina Pliskova.

Image: Aryna Sabalenka is yet to win a singles title on the WTA Tour

Sabalenka, 20, recovered from a 4-1 deficit in the final set to progress 6-3 2-6 7-6 {7-5] and earn her first victory over a top 10 opponent.

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