Vera Zvonareva reached the last four of the US Open for the first time with a hard-fought 6-3 7-5 victory over Kaia Kanepi.
Estonian finds conditions tough, has 25 unforced errors in first set
Vera Zvonareva reached the last four of the US Open for the first time in her career with a hard-fought 6-3 7-5 victory over Kaia Kanepi.
The Russian, seeded seventh at Flushing Meadows, came out on top in a scrappy contest that was hampered by blustery conditions.
Kanepi, who had knocked out fourth seed Jelena Jankovic on her way to reaching the last eight of the final grand slam of the season, found life particularly tough as the wind swirled around the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Estonian hit 25 unforced errors in the first set alone, losing her serve in the first and fifth games but bravely saving three break points in the seventh
She managed to fend off three more in her next service game before finally succumbing, a backhand into the net giving Zvonareva the opening set.
Consecutive breaks
The second set started with four consecutive breaks before both players calmed down.
Zvonareva eventually clinched the match by taking the 12th game against the serve, two backhand errors from Kanepi ending the contest after one hour and 53 minutes.
She told
Sky Sports afterwards: "That was very difficult. I haven't played in those conditions in a while and I hung in well and was able to be patient, but at the same time used my opportunities.
Zvonareva, who lost in the final at Wimbledon this year, will next face top seed Caroline Wozniacki, who
beat Dominika Cibulkova in straight sets.
"Wimbledon was a great run for me but it is in the past and I'm just looking forward," added the last Russian left in the women's draw.
"I've been on the tour for a few years and I'm a much more mature and experienced player and helps me go deep in the grand slams"
Kanepi admitted the wind had played a major part in the match, adding: "It was blowing in every way. When I played against Jelena (Jankovic) it was the same thing, so I was a little used to it.
"But today was tough. I just didn't find the rhythm and the control of the ball. I can't blame the wind for everything, I didn't play well, too. Vera obviously played very well."
