Nigeria’s wait for a Lagos Open singles champion continues as the country’s last hope, Oyinlomo Quadre, fell to Women’s second seed, Valeriya Strakhova, in three sets on Friday.

Quadre, 16, who was bidding to reach her first ITF semifinals started brightly and won the first set 7-5 but eventually faded as the game wore on as the 24-year old Strakhova found her rhythm and recovered to win the last two sets 3-6, 1-6 to seal a semifinal spot.

Up next for Strakhova is Nastja Kolar, who defeated first-leg finalist, Laura Pigossi, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.

Elsewhere, India’s Riya Bhatia produced near-perfect tennis after she recovered from an opening set loss to stun top seed Seone Mendez 4-6, 6-0, 6-0 and move into the last four.

She will next play compatriot Rutuja Bhosale, who dismissed 3rd seed, Sandra Samir, 6-2, 6-0.

In the men’s draw, Frenchman Calvin Hemery remains on course for back-to-back Lagos Open titles after a ruthless 6-3, 6-0 victory over second seed, Benjamin Lock on Friday.

Hemery who has Nigerian heritage and accounted for Lock’s brother Courtney in Thursday’s quarterfinal has now won eight matches on the trot and would look to make in nine when he faces Tunisia’s Aziz Ouakaa in Saturday’s semifinal.

Ouakaa progressed to the semis after countryman Aziz Dougaz retired while trailing 5-7, 6-4, 4-2.

There was also another retirement in the other quarterfinal with Gianni Mina quitting his match against Takanyi Garanganga while trailing 4-6, 0-1. Garanganga next plays 2015 champion Aldin Setkic who defeated David Pichler 6-7, 6-1, 6-3.