Caroline Wozniacki remains on course for a second straight title in the Middle East after battering Flavia Pennetta on Thursday.
Top seed faces in-form Bartoli in Doha semi-finals
Caroline Wozniacki remains on course for a second straight title in the Middle East after battering Flavia Pennetta on Thursday.
The world number one booked her place in the last four of the Qatar Open with a comprehensive straight-sets victory over Pennetta, posting a 6-2 6-0 success.
The 20-year-old Danish sensation made just seven unforced errors and was clinical against the 15th-ranked Italian to set up a semi-final showdown with the in-form Marion Bartoli.
"I am very happy to make the semi-finals," said Wozniacki, who won the Dubai Open last week.
"I had to go for my shots in the game. That was the key," added Wozniacki who wore a Liverpool jersey in the warm-up to show her support for the club.
"I am a big Liverpool fan. I got this shirt today from the Qatar Tennis Federation. Liverpool are playing today (in the Europa League) so I thought I should wear it and show my support."
Pleased
Earlier, Bartoli completed a swift demolition job of China's Peng Shuai to storm into the last four.
The world number 18, who is unseeded in Qatar, hardly gave Peng a chance to find her footing in another hopelessly one-sided match to win 6-2 6-2 and stay on course for a possible sixth title on the WTA Tour.
Bartoli, who had sent eighth seed Shahar Peer packing in the second round on Tuesday, was again ruthless on Thursday with her trademark double-handed shots on either side leaving her Chinese rival stranded on several occasions.
And the French former Wimbledon finalist said: "I am pleased with my level of play. I am moving much better on the court compared to the previous years and I hope to continue playing like this."
Vera Zvonareva was pushed all the way in the evening session before eventually booking her place in the semi-finals with victory over Daniela Hantuchova.
The number two seed, beaten by Hantuchova en route to the title in Pattaya two weeks ago, exacted her revenge in narrow fashion with a 7-5 6-7 (7-5) 7-5 victory.
The Belarussian looked to be heading for back-to-back defeats against the lanky Slovak when trailing 5-3 in the final set, however she clawed her way back for victory.
In the last four Zvonareva will meet fifth-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic, who enjoyed a relatively routine 6-2 6-4 win over lucky loser Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic.
