Irina Begu was crushed by Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-1, on Saturday evening, in the semifinals of the WTA 250 tournament in Palermo (Italy), endowed with total prizes worth 232,244 euros. Champion two years ago in the Sicilian city, the Romanian has to be satisfied only with the qualification in the competition’s aces box.
Irina Begu could not take the step to the final in Palermo. Photo EPA EFE
The nearly 34-year-old player, ranked 142nd in the WTA ranking, lost after an hour and 14 minutes against the Czech Karolina Muchova, against whom she had only one break point, which she missed. Irina Begu chose herself with a check of 10,100 euros and 98 WTA points, a dowry with which she will climb to the 130th place in the world starting tomorrow.
Irina Begu will play at the Iasi Open
The Romanian will play next week at the Iași Open (July 21-26), along with five other tricolors accepted directly on the main draw: Jaqueline Cristian, Anca Todoni, Gabriela Ruse, Miriam Bulgaru and Irina Bara.
In the final in Palermo, Karolina Muchova will face Qinwen Zheng (21 years old, 7 WTA). The Chinese, the main favorite, passed the French Diane Parry in the semifinals, 7-5, 6-4, after she had won in the quarters against the Romanian Jaqueline Cristian, 6-1, 6-1.
