Pune: City player Salsa Aher swung into the semifinal defeating Janice Tjen of Indonesia 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-0 in the Thailand ITF Junior Grade 5 tournament in Nonthburi on Friday.

Salsa who started on  a steady note took time to settle as she lost the first set in the tie-breaker 6-7 (3-7).

In the second set, Salsa fought back brilliantly and looked more confident while hitting the shots. Salsa took a 5-0 lead but the Indonesian showed some fight as she earned three consecutive points breaking Salsa in the 7th game and holding her serve in the 6th and 8th game. In the ninth game, Salsa held her serve to take the match into the third set with  a 6-3 win.

In the third set, Salsa took control right from the start and secured a 6-0 victory. Salsa will now face Natasha Sengpgrachanh, a qualifier from Canada.

Results:
Semifinal 1: Salsa Aher (Ind) bt Janice Tjen (Idn) 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-0.
Semifinal 2:  Natasha Sengpgrachanh (Can) bt 2- Supapitch Kuearum (Tha) 7-5, 6-4.