NEW YORK (AP) Angelique Kerber is in the semifinals of the U.S. Open after never previously making it past the third round of a Grand Slam.

The 92nd-ranked German beat Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Thursday.

Kerber lost in the first round of her last four major tournaments. The 23-year-old lefty is projected to earn a top-35 ranking for the first time in her career.

Pennetta, seeded 26th, has never been past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam. This is the third time the 29-year-old Italian has lost at that stage at the Open.