INDIAN WELLS, CA, USA - Daniela Hantuchova and Agnieszka Radwanska had only played two career events together prior to the start of the BNP Paribas Open, losing in the quarterfinals in Dubai and in the first round in Doha earlier this year. Therefore, reaching the semis here is a bit of a surprise, but even more eye-opening is the fashion they have done it in.

Hantuchova and Radwanska did not drop a set in their first two rounds, including a surprise of No.5 seeds Chan Yung-Jan and Zheng Jie in the second round. Then in their quarterfinal on Wednesday, they demolished No.4 seeds Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova in 51 minutes, 61 60. Even though it was the defending Wimbledon and US Open champions' first tournament of the year, as Shvedova missed time with a left knee injury, few could have expected the score to be this lopsided.

Hantuchova also reached the semis in doubles at Indian Wells in 2002 and 2008, losing both times. This is the furthest Radwanska has advanced here, having lost in the quarters twice previously. Standing in their way of a trip to the final is fellow unseeded duo Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina, who have also yet to drop a set this fortnight.

Wednesday's other quarterfinal saw eighth-seeded Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Meghann Shaughnessy defeat third-seeded Liezel Huber and Nadia Petrova, 64 63. The Americans, whose best results since teaming up for the first time early in 2010 are one title and two runner-up showings, broke Huber's serve at 3-3 in the first set and cruised from there. Next up for them are sixth-seeded Victoria Azarenka and Maria Kirilenko. Both semifinals will be played Thursday.