Zarazua first Mexican to reach WTA semi-final since 1993, Fernandez advances

Renata Zarazua became the first Mexican woman to reach a WTA Tour semi-final since 1993 after continuing her fairytale run at the Mexican Open.

Local wildcard Zarazua upstaged Tamara Zidansek 6-2 3-6 6-2 en route to the final four of the WTA International tournament in Acapulco on Thursday.

World number 270 Zarazua, 22, will face teenage qualifier Leylah Fernandez for a spot in the final.

Canadian 17-year-old Fernandez moved through to her maiden WTA semi-final after ousting fellow teen Anastasia Potapova 6-3 7-5.

It’s not midnight yet, Cinderella! Wildcard @RenataZarazuaOf continues her magical run slugging past Zidansek 6-2 3-6 6-2 to punch a semifinal ticket. She’s the first ?? to reach a WTA final four since 1993.#AMT2020 pic.twitter.com/ZIKRi0SNIi

— WTA (@WTA) February 28, 2020

Elsewhere, seventh seed Heather Watson prevailed 6-3 1-6 6-1 against American Christina McHale.

Make it straight wins On match point no. 4, 17-year-old ?? qualifier Fernandez powers into a first WTA semifinal ousting fellow teen Potapova 6-3, 7-5.#AMT2020 pic.twitter.com/vT6HPkc8vH

— WTA (@WTA) February 28, 2020

Next up for Watson is Wang Xiyu, who eased past sixth seed Zhu Lin 6-2 6-2.