Williams defeat Kuznetsova
Published:Wednesday | January 28, 2009 | 5:19 PM
Second seed Serena Williams produced a gritty display to defeat Svetlana Kuznetsova at Rod Laver Arena today to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
The American beat the Russian eighth seed 5-7, 7-5, 6-1 to set up a semi-final date against Elena Dementieva.
Fourth seed Dementieva beat surprise package Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-2.
Both ties were affected by searing heat in Melbourne, with officials opting to close the Rod Laver Arena roof midway through the Williams-Kuznetsova tie.
In the men’s draw, top-seeded Rafael Nadal eased into the semifinals with a 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 win over France’s Gilles Simon.
Nadal takes on fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in a semifinal Friday. Verdasco beat Frenchman, fifth seed Jo Wilfried Tsonga 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Roger, Federer, who is aiming to equal Pete Sampras’ record 14 Grand Slam singles title, plays Andy Roddick tomorrow in another semi-final.