Iasi: Egypt's tennis player Mayar Sherif advanced to the semi-final of the WTA 250 Iasi Open in Romania after defeating Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva in three sets. Sherif, ranked 97th in the world, overcame world No. 82 Putintseva with scores of 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 in the quarter-final. According to State Information Service Egypt, the Egyptian athlete will next face Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova, who holds the 52nd position in global rankings, for a chance to secure a spot in the final. Sherif secured her position in the last eight by defeating Spain's Kaitlin Quevedo, ranked No. 100, with a 6-3, 7-6 win in the second round. Prior to that, she had easily overcome Hungary's Dalma Galfi, ranked No. 137, with a 6-2, 6-0 victory in the opening round. The tournament is taking place in Romania from July 12 to 19.