Jankovic reaches Kremlin Cup semifinals

Oct 10, 2008 - 10:19 PM MOSCOW (Ticker) -- Jelena Jankovic's continued her torrid late-season play Friday.

The top-seeded Serbian rolled into the semifinals of the Kremlin Cup with a 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 victory over unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta.

The victory extended Jankovic's winning streak to 10 matches and set up a semifinal clash with defending champion Elena Dementieva, who needed three sets to oust Russian compatriot Nadia Petrova, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6).

Jankovic, who overtook Serena Williams for the No. 1 ranking on Monday, is seeking her third title in as many events.

The first player on the WTA Tour this season to reach the 60-win plateau, Jankovic needed nearly two hours to dispatch .Pennetta one day after enduring a 2 1/2-hour marathon victory over Vera Dushevina.

Pennetta, who had upset No. 6 Venus Williams in the opening round and has won two titles this season, held early leads in both sets but fell to 0-5 lifetime against Jankovic.

A Russian player has won this event four of the last five years, and the third-seeded Dementieva will look to continue that trend with a second straight title.

Dementieva struggled with her serve against Petrova en route to reaching the semifinals for the 10th time in 17 events this year.

Despite committing eight double-faults, Dementieva saved 7-of-12 break-point chances to prevail in 2 hours, 44 minutes.

"I knew that the match would be tough," Dementieva said. "Nadia is a very strong tennis player, she serves and volleys great. My emotions were slightly interfering my game today. But I'm glad that it was so spectacular, especially in tie break."

The 26-year-old Petrova, who had advanced to the semifinals or better in four of her last five events, including a title in Cincinnati, committed a ghastly 72 unforced errors.

Second-seeded Russian Dinara Safina booked her spot in the semifinals with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over fifth-seeded countrywoman Svetlana Kuznetsova on Friday

Safina, who is 44-6 in her last 50 matches, will be looking to reach her eighth final of the season when she takes on Vera Zvonareva in the semis.

"I managed to play well against Sveta," Safina said. "I tried to think on the court placing the ball smartly."

The seventh-seeded Zvonareva advanced by defeating Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova, 7-5, 6-4.

Since starting the season 11-10, the 22-year-old Safina has won four titles. She battled back from a 4-1 deficit in the second set to improve to 7-4 lifetime against Kuznetsova, including victories in all four meetings this year.

Safina had nine aces and won 83 percent (35-of-42) first-serve points against Kutnetsova.

First prize is $196,900.