Heather Watson rode on her purple patch to go through to the semifinals of the WTA Hobart International after coming through her quarterfinal encounter on Thursday.

The top British female tennis player needed an hour and 47 minutes to upset higher-ranked Roberta Vinci of Italy 7-6 6-2 at the Centre Court here.

Meanwhile, Americans Madison Brengle, Alison Riske, and Kurumi Nara of Japan had to take the court twice on the same day, as rain had washed out the complete Wednesday’s play at the tournament.

QUARTERFINAL RESULTS

(Q) M Brengle d. K Knapp (6-7, 6-4, 6-4)

K Nara d. (3) C Giorgi (6-1, 3-6, 6-2)

H Watson d. (9) R Vinci (7-6, 6-2)

(8) A Riske d. (2) Z Diyas (6-3, 6-0)

SECOND ROUND RESULTS

K Knapp d. (1) C Dellacqua (7-5, 2-6, 6-3)

(Q) M Brengle d. (Q) K Kozlova (6-1, 7-6)

(3) C Giorgi d. K Kanepi (W/O)

(8) A Riske d. B Jovanovski (6-2, 4-6, 6-1)

(2) Z Diyas d. (W) D Hantuchova (7-5, 6-1)

(Image: BBC Sport)