She raced into a 3-0 double-break lead before Parrizas Diaz started to lift her level, fighting back. The 32-year-old retrieved one of the breaks as Dart let out a loud scream in frustration. But the rollercoaster ride continued, with three more breaks of serve.
The match was on world No. 103 Dart’s racket at 5-2, with Parrizas Diaz failing to hold serve at all in the second set. And she was able to close it out on her second match point, advancing to the last four.
Dart will now face either former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova or Sara Errani in the semi-final. She looks primed to re-enter the world’s top 100 when the rankings update, provisionally sitting at No. 92 in the world after her win over Parrizas Diaz. In the doubles semi-final, she will face compatriot Olivia Nicholls and Frenchwoman Elixane Lechemia.
