Darkness Prevails in Mauresmo-Hingis Showdown

The highly-anticipated showdown between Amelie Mauresmo and Martina Hingis was suspended due to darkness at a set apiece in quarterfinal play Friday in Berlin.

Mauresmo fell to the Swiss 6-4 in the first set before recovering for the second 6-4. In a tight first set, Hingis came through on just one more break point (winning two of eight, while Mauresmo won one of five) and the story was much the same in the second, with Mauresmo capitalizing on just one more (winning three of six, compared to Hingis' two of six). The Swiss former No. 1 managed to save several set points in the final game of the second set, but succumbed to a backhand down-the-line pass from the current No. 1 on the last point.

Awaiting in the semifinals for the winner will be Justine Henin-Hardenne, a 6-4, 7-6 victor over Svetlana Kuznetsova.

"This was the best match we've ever played against each other," said Henin-Hardenne, a Berlin champion in 2002, 2003 and last year. "We were both playing well on every point and it was a high level throughout. The difference was how I played the tiebreak in the second set. I played aggressive on every point and that made the difference."

Henin is 4-4 lifetime against Mauresmo (1-1 on clay) and 1-2 lifetime against Hingis (no clay meetings).

The second semifinal pits the surprising Na Li of China against the red-hot Nadia Petrova who ousted fellow countrywoman Dinara Safina 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Petrova has now won 13 straight matches.

"I can't believe I won, I've never beaten her before," said a jubilant Li following her 7-6, 7-6 win over Patty Schnyder. "I didn't expect to win. I am going to try my best tomorrow and I'm very proud to be in the semifinals."

Petrova is 3-0 lifetime against the Chinese rising star, but this will be their first encounter on clay.