MIAMI, FL, USA - World No.3 Vera Zvonareva kept her hopes of returning to the No.2 ranking alive on Wednesday, getting past Agnieszka Radwanska in a tight two-setter to reach the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson Open.
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After all of the drama on Tuesday, with all three matches going well beyond two hours (and in one case well past three hours), the No.3-seeded Zvonareva only had a few hitches against No.9 seed Radwanska, double faulting at 4-5, 30-all in the first set to give the Pole a set point; Zvonareva saved that with an ace and won three games to take the set. The second set was simpler for the Russian, who won five of six games from 1-2 for a 75 63 win in an hour and 34 minutes.
"I'm pleased with the way I played today, especially because it's never easy against Agnieszka," Zvonareva said. "She keeps the ball in play so much and you have to focus really well. I was able to keep my concentration throughout the match. There were still a few ups and downs, but overall I'm really happy."
Zvonareva is now through to the semifinals at this tournament for the second time in her career, having gone this far in 2008 (falling to Jelena Jankovic).
Next up for Zvonareva is either No.2 seed Kim Clijsters or No.8 seed Victoria Azarenka, who played the last quarterfinal match under the lights.
"I know both players pretty well. I've had some tough matches against Victoria and against Kim. I've won some of them against both players and I've lost some of them against both players. So no matter what, it's going to be a difficult match, a tough challenge. But that's good because I enjoy those matches."
Zvonareva could surpass Clijsters at No.2 if she goes on to win the title here.
Radwanska was playing the quarterfinals here for the second time, having reached this stage last year as well (falling to Venus Williams).
Japanese No.1 Kimiko Date-Krumm has set up a personal fund called Always Smile to help the Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims. If you would like to help out, please visit http://www.kimiko-date.com/gien/index.html.
