Italian tennis star Sara Errani in Rio Open semis

Errani ha reached the semi-finals stage of the event

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 21 (IANS): Italy's woman tennis player Sara Errani has advanced to the semifinals of the Rio Open here.

Errani had the most surprising quarterfinal match of the tournament and won a technical victory against Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia Friday, who was forced to abandon the match in the third set due to muscle cramps, reports Xinhua.

The 18-year-old Maia, ranked 234 in the world, won the first set 6-3 but lost the second at 6-7(2/7).

The young player chalked up her loss to the jitters.

"When I entered the changing room before the third set I was very tense and my leg began to cramp," she said after the game.

"I'm still very new, I'm very happy with this week."

Errani, ranked 13th in the world, said she was surprised by her rival's performance on the court, and saddened she had to drop the match.

"I'm upset for her. She has great potential and can achieve very good results in the future. It was a very tough match," said Errani.