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Peng shocks Clijsters to reach San Diego semis
(AP)
Updated: 2005-08-06 14:26
China's Shaui Peng, ranked 46th in the world, has upset seventh-seeded
Belgian Kim Clijsters 6-4, 6-4, to reach the semi-finals at the 1.3 million
dollar WTA Acura Classic.
China's Shaui Peng, seen here, ranked 46th in
the world, has upset seventh-seeded Belgian Kim Clijsters 6-4, 6-4, to
reach the semi-finals at the 1.3 million dollar WTA Acura Classic.
[AFP] |
Peng had entered the match as a heavy
underdog to Clijsters, who had won 26 consecutive hardcourt matches on American
soil since losing to compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne in the 2003 U.S. Open
final.
But the 19-year-old Peng, who had upset third seed Elena Dementieva of Russia
in the second round and No. 16 Dinara Safina in the third, continued her
unlikely run by dictating play from the baseline with her searing, two-fisted
shots from both wings that kept her speedy opponent on the run throughout the
shocker.
Meanwhile, the Japanese assault on the San Diego tournament continued with Ai
Sugiyama and Akiko Morigami both winning on Friday to set up a clash in the
semi-finals.
Unseeded Sugiyama became the first player to move into the semis of the
hardcourt event by rolling over 15-year-old Bulgarian Sesil Karatantcheva 6-1,
6-2.
On Saturday, Sugiyama will meet countrywoman Morigami, who sent Russian
teenager Anna Chakvetadze packing 6-3, 6-4.
"It feels great (to get into the semis)," said Sugiyama, who posted a
three-set upset over No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova on Thursday.
"I didn't have a good half of the year and it was really tough for me to find
the motivation.
"But I'm really having fun again and willing to work."
Karatantcheva, who turns 16 on Monday, was looking to advance to her first
WTA career semi-final.
"The score looks easy but for me it was not easy at all," Sugiyama said. "She
runs pretty good side to side. If I had a long rally it was good to me because I
could put her down a little bit. It's more mental game, especially the second
set."
Chakvetadze was the lone Russian remaining in the 56-player draw that boasted
11 - including five of the top nine seeds - at the start of the week.
Mary Pierce needed four match points to dismiss Swiss star Patty Schnyder in
the quarter-finals.
Sixth-seeded Pierce pounded out a 6-4, 6-3 decision over the fifth seed on
Friday and advanced to the semis.
Pierce has won six of their eight all-time encounters, including an epic 6-1,
4-6, 6-4 fourth-round victory over the lefthander at the French Open that
propelled her to a runner-up finish to Belgian Justin Henin-Hardenne.
Pierce blew 10 match points in that win.
This time it was a bit easier for the veteran 30-year-old French star, who
will be aiming for her first hardcourt title in the US in her 16-year career.
"Patty is a great player, she always puts up a great fight against me," said
Pierce, who improved to 26-10 on the year.
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