Hingis advances to Qatar Open semifinals
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-03 09:46

DOHA, Qatar - Martina Hingis defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 7-6 (7), 6-2 Thursday to advance to the semifinals of the Qatar Open.

Martina Hingis of Switzerland serves during her match against Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia during the Qatar Open tennis tournament in Doha March 2, 2006. [Reuters]

Hingis will face top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo of France in Friday's semifinal. Mauresmo, ranked No. 2 in the world, beat Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-0.

In other quarterfinals, second-seeded Nadia Petrova of Russia beat Na Li of China 6-4, 6-4. Petrova will meet Ai Sugiyama of Japan, who beat Julia Schruff of Germany 6-3, 6-2.

Hingis, a former Qatar champion, struggled to a tiebreaker win in the first set. Hingis broke Kuznetsova three times in the second set.

"It was a pretty impressive win," Hingis said. "The first set was a bit tough. I guess that was because we haven't played before."

But Hingis managed to neutralize Kuznetsova's strengths.

"She is a powerful girl," Hingis said. "She is deeper in the forehand. I tried not to give her too many opportunities and gave her balls on her backhand. I was successful with my strategy."

Mauresmo, a winner of three titles this season, cruised once she got past the first set. She broke Vinci three times in the second set.

"The first set was a bit long," Mauresmo said. "Once I settled into the match, I was under no pressure in the second set. I played my normal game and won easily."

Hingis said she was looking forward to playing Mauresmo, the Australian Open champion.

"She is playing really well at the moment," Hingis said. "It won't be an easy match for sure."