Tokyo, Sept 29: Fourth-ranked Vera Zvonareva of Russia defeated compatriot Maria Kirilenko 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday to advance to the semifinals of the Pan Pacific Open.
Zvonareva had five aces in the match that lasted 1 hour, 14 minutes at Ariake Colosseum and improved to 6-0 in head-to-head matches against the unseeded Kirilenko.
"I'm really happy that my serve helped me today," Zvonareva said. "The first serve was good and my second serve even caused her some problems, and that made a big difference."
Kirilenko knocked out US Open champion Samantha Stosur on Tuesday and beat 12th-seeded Ana Ivanovic on Wednesday, but struggled with her serve against Zvonareva and was broken three times.
"Maria is a great player and a great fighter, and proved it by beating two tough opponents on her way to the quarterfinals," Zvonareva said. "There is no secret to beating her. I just tried to make some shots that caused her some discomfort and was able to do that."
Elsewhere, third-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus beat seventh-seeded Marion Bartoli 7-5, 6-0.
Second-seeded Maria Sharapova of Russia will face fifth-seeded Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic later on Thursday in a rematch of this year's Wimbledon final.
Zvonareva will face the winner of the Sharapova-Kvitova match in Friday's semifinals. AP
