ACAPULCO, México - The seeds got off to a solid start at the Abierto Mexicano TELCEL presented by HSBC, but as of the end Thursday's play, just one is left standing. No.5-seeded Italian Flavia Pennetta will be joined in the semifinal line-up by non-seeds Julia Schruff, Emilie Loit and Sara Errani.
Pennetta was the first to advance to the penultimate round but was definitely not an easy winner, overcoming holes of 4-2 in the opening set and 3-0 in the second to make it by French teen Alize Cornet, 75 64, in one hour, 43 minutes.
"It's not possible to win every match in 45 minutes but when I do win, I feel more confident in my game," said Pennetta, who had more comprehensive wins in her first two rounds over Roberta Vinci and Lourdes Dominguez Lino.
It has been a tough last six months for Pennetta, but she seems to finally be back on track these last two weeks. After injuring her left wrist last summer she was forced out of the game, three opening round losses in Australia being her lone appearances until this two-week clay court swing. But semifinal runs at Bogotá last week and now here are an encouraging sign for the Italian.
"To deal with an injury is always difficult because you lose the rhythm. When you come back you don't have the same velocity on your shots but you must try to enjoy the game like you did before. I just have to be relaxed and go slowly. I hope to enjoy every match and get back the level I had last year."
Next up for Pennetta will be compatriot Errani, who dismissed another Italian, Tathiana Garbin, 57 76(3) 63. Errani, who had to battle through qualifying to play this, her fifth Sony Ericsson WTA Tour main draw, fended off match point trailing 6-5 in the second set and hung tough early in the third before going on a three-game tear to finish off the match and reach her first career semi.
Pennetta and Errani will be playing for the first time.
The other semifinal will pit Loit against Schruff. Loit beat No.6 seed Gisela Dulko, 57 64 61, while Schruff beat Mexican wild card Melissa Torres Sandoval, 61 64. The two have played once before with the Frenchwoman prevailing easily in straight sets in Fed Cup action three years ago.
Pennetta and Loit look to build on incredible career records at this event in Friday's semifinals. While Schruff's best effort here in years past was a run to the second round and Errani is making her main draw debut here, Loit is an incredible 18-5 (this is her sixth showing here and she has never lost before the quarters) and Pennetta is now an even more impressive 18-3 here (she has reached the final the last three years, winning it in 2005). There could be a championship showdown between the two Acapulco standouts Saturday.
The doubles quarterfinals were also contested Thursday, with No.2-seeded team Loit and Nicole Pratt and No.3 seeds Pennetta and Vinci among the winners. (WTA)
