Intro:

Rain disrupted play at the AEGON International in Eastbourne on Thursday, but Marion Bartoli, Tamira Paszek, Klara Zakopalova and Angelique Kerber were still able to book their places in the semi-finals.

Script:

Defending champion Marion Bartoli had to negotiate a rain-slick court on Thursday as she took on Lucie Safarova at the AEGON International in Eastbourne.

The Frenchwoman took the first set 6-4.

The fourth seed then completed her victory over the Czech, breaking her opponent four times in the second and sealing the match 6-4 6-2 to book her spot in the semi-final against Tamira Paszek.

Angelique Kerber was also battling for a place in the final four when she went up against Ekaterina Makarova.

The German quickly took the first set advantage 6-2.

But her rhythm was disrupted when rain stopped play in the middle of the second set, with Kerber leading 3-1.

When play resumed Kerber served out the match in style 6-2 6-4.

Kerber will face Klara Zakopalova for a place in the final.