Kuznetsova Remains Hot in Advancing to Bali Semifinals

While admittedly tired after her stunning run at the US Open, Svetlana Kuznetsova's decision to honor her commitment to the WTA Bali event continued to pay dividends Friday as she advanced to the semifinals with a win over Indonesian wildcard Angelique Widjaja 7-5, 6-1.

"In each tournament you have to play tough matches against various players and today was one of those tough days," Kuznetsova said. "Angie is a nice person, she did well in her junior period. Although now she has injuries she has improved."

Kuznetsova's Russian countrywoman Nadia Petrova was the only other seeded player into the semis, with the No. 4 seed defeating Italy's Tatiana Garbin in straight sets.

Two unseeded players also advanced into the semis in Italy's Maria Elena Camerin (d. (7) Gisela "Sgt." Dulko in three), and Germany's Marlene Weingartner (d. Cho in three).

Saturday's semifinal line-up will be (4) Petrova vs. (2) Kuznetsova (Kuznetsova won their only meeting at the 2004 US Open), and Camerin vs. Weingartner (the German won their only meeting this year at the French Open).