Reigning Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber is through to the semi-finals of Eastbourne after beating Romania’s Simona Halep in straight sets.
Germany’s world number five Kerber, twice a runner-up at Eastbourne, won 6-4 6-3 in one hour and 13 minutes.
Kerber converted five of her seven break points against Halep.
The three-time Grand Slam champion will next face unseeded Tunisian Ons Jabeur – the conqueror of Britain’s Johanna Konta – on Friday.
“I am really happy how I played,” Kerber told BBC Sport. “To play against Simona, you know you have to play the best tennis.”
Jabeur overcame an ankle injury to continue her fine run with a 1-6 7-5 6-3 victory over France’s Alize Cornet.
“At this tournament I’m the queen of losing the first set and then coming back,” said Jabeur, who has rallied from a set down to win three of her four matches.
“It wasn’t easy at the end – I was scared for my ankle – but hopefully everything will be good.”
Czech second seed Karolina Pliskova, the champion in 2017, thrashed Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2 6-0 and will face Kiki Bertens after the Dutch third seed overcame 2018 runner-up Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 3-6 6-4.
“I’m improving with every match here,” said Pliskova, who has yet to drop a set in the tournament.
