TENNIS US OPEN:DINARA SAFINA'S superb 2008 season continued yesterday as she steamed into the semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Flavia Pennetta.
Sixth-seeded Safina, runner-up at the French Open in June, eased to a 6-2 6-3 win over her Italian opponent to stay on course for her first grand slam title and her fourth win on the WTA Tour this season.
The Russian's victory, which took just 71 minutes to complete, always looked on the cards after breaking the 16th seed on her first service game before taking the first set at a canter with the winners flowing freely from her racquet head.
The second set was much the same story as Safina continued to get the better of the Pennetta service. Safina converted four of nine break-point chances in the match while allowing her opponent just one break-point opportunity.
It was not all plain sailing, however, with the 22-year-old Safina committing five double faults and 19 unforced errors in the course of the match.
Better will be needed if she is to reach her second grand slam final. Safina's opponent in the last four will be the winner of the much-anticipated clash between Venus and Serena Williams.
Second seed Jelena Jankovic cruised into the semi-finals with a 6-1 6-4 win over 29th seed Sybille Bammer on Tuesday.
"I'm happy about winning in two sets," Jankovic said afterwards, admitting that she had struggled earlier in the tournament. "I feel that every day I'm better and better. Im moving a lot better. I'm feeling my shots a lot better."
Playing in her first grand slam quarter-final, Austrian Bammer failed to trouble a rock-solid Jankovic who controlled the match from the start.
The 23-year-old Serb was a model of consistency, registering only 14 unforced errors compared with 40 from her opponent.
"In the beginning of the tournament I was really not feeling that great, because I wasn't able to practise," Jankovic said.
"I was injured at the Olympics and throughout most of the year.
"So of course I couldn't expect for myself to be at the top of my game and in top shape," added Jankovic.
Jankovic, who reached the number one ranking briefly last month and could displace compatriot Ana Ivanovic at the top, has yet to reach a grand slam final having lost in the semis four times, including Flushing Meadows in 2006.
She will meet Olympic champion Elena Dementieva of Russia in the last four.
"Right now I have two days off, which will help me to recover even more, and then do some more work and hopefully I will be ready and try my best for the semi-final," Jankovic said.
"She's a tough player, she's very solid, she moves great," Jankovic said.
"I would love to make another step forward and reach my first final of a grand slam," she concluded.
