Henin-Yan showdown in Toront semis
Sunday, 19 August 2007
TORONTO, Aug 18 (AFP): Top-seeded Belgian Justin Henin defeated sixth seed Nadia Petrova, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 to advance to the semi-finals of the US$1.34 million hard-court tournament Friday.
Chinese qualifier Yan Zi also advanced to the semi-finals the US Open tune-up as ailing Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli retired while trailing in their quarter-final clash.
The world's top-ranked player, Henin captured one of her 34 career titles here in 2003 before falling to the retired Kim Clijsters in the 2005 final.
Playing in her first tournament since a surprising collapse in the semi-finals at Wimbledon, Henin has been sharp in her first three matches, including a 7-5, 6-2 victory over China's Peng Shuai.
Henin has now won 11 of her 13 career meetings with Petrova, including seven of eight on a hard court.
The two also squared off here in 2003, with the 2003 US Open champion recording a straight-sets victory in the third round.
Petrova, who dropped just five games in dumping No. 10 Patty Schnyder Thursday, last beat Henin in 2006 in the final of the claycourt Berlin Open.
In the semi-finals, Henin will face Yan, was leading the seventh-seeded Frenchwoman 6-2, 3-0 when Bartoli decided she couldn't continue.
The 22-year-old from China was coming off a 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5) victory over Greece's Eleni Daniilidou Thursday. She also upset No. 4 Ana Ivanovic in the second round.
On the other side of the draw, second seed Jelena Jankovic moved into the semi-finals by defeating Virginie Razzano of France, 7-5, 6-2.
The Serbian, who posted a 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. 13 Sybille Bammer Thursday, is looking for her fifth title of the year.
Chinese qualifier Yan Zi also advanced to the semi-finals the US Open tune-up as ailing Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli retired while trailing in their quarter-final clash.
The world's top-ranked player, Henin captured one of her 34 career titles here in 2003 before falling to the retired Kim Clijsters in the 2005 final.
Playing in her first tournament since a surprising collapse in the semi-finals at Wimbledon, Henin has been sharp in her first three matches, including a 7-5, 6-2 victory over China's Peng Shuai.
Henin has now won 11 of her 13 career meetings with Petrova, including seven of eight on a hard court.
The two also squared off here in 2003, with the 2003 US Open champion recording a straight-sets victory in the third round.
Petrova, who dropped just five games in dumping No. 10 Patty Schnyder Thursday, last beat Henin in 2006 in the final of the claycourt Berlin Open.
In the semi-finals, Henin will face Yan, was leading the seventh-seeded Frenchwoman 6-2, 3-0 when Bartoli decided she couldn't continue.
The 22-year-old from China was coming off a 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5) victory over Greece's Eleni Daniilidou Thursday. She also upset No. 4 Ana Ivanovic in the second round.
On the other side of the draw, second seed Jelena Jankovic moved into the semi-finals by defeating Virginie Razzano of France, 7-5, 6-2.
The Serbian, who posted a 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. 13 Sybille Bammer Thursday, is looking for her fifth title of the year.