(Stuttgart, Germany) Justine Henin of Belgium was the third player to secure her spot in the semifinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on Friday.

The World No 1 overcame Russia’s Elena Dementieva in straight sets, 6-4 and 6-4 in a captivating match in Stuttgart’s Porsche Arena. 

“I began the match strongly and played aggressively right from the start,” said the 25-year-old Belgian. “Elena put up some stiff resistance. When you play against her, you can never sit back, you can never relax. One is never sure of winning. She is a fighter. I am glad that I have come here fresh, unlike other years. I took a holiday for three weeks after the US Open. It did me a lot of good both mentally and physically.”

(Stuttgart, Germany) Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Serena Williams of USA in straight sets 6-3 and 6-3 in the final quarterfinal match on Friday. The world no 2 therefore earned herself a spot in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix semifinals. It is the third time Kuznetsova made it to the last four, the other two occasions were in 2004 and 2006. “I was very happy with my game today,” said Kuznetsova. “Serena hit the ball very hard. It was fun out there. I’m loving my time here in Stuttgart and playing in this wonderful arena. It’s just great.”

 “It was a crazy match,” said Williams. “I made so many unforced errors today. The balls were flying all over the place and there was no wind. I don’t know what happened. It was strange. I found a little rhythm after some long rallies but then I just didn’t have the game to beat Svetlana. Many things went wrong today. I could have moved my legs better for one.”

“Next stop is going to be Russia, and hopefully it would not be too cold there,” the eight time Grand Slam winner said about losing her match.

Kuznetsova will meet Tatiana Golovin of France in the semifinal on Saturday. Golovin was last years losing finalist against Nadia Petrova. ”I’m looking forward to match against Tatiana. We know each other well. Tatiana won the last time we met. I’m hoping for revenge tomorrow,” 22-year-old Kuznetsova said. 

(Stuttgart, Germany) Tatiana Golovin was the first player to advance to the semifinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix after defeating qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine. The 19-year-old Frenchwoman won 6-3, 6-4 in Friday’s opening quarterfinal match. Bondarenko surprisingly defeated Ana Ivanovic, the Serbian world No.5, in the previous round. In the second match of the day, Nadia Petrova had to retire from her match against Jelena Jankovic with an injury. After winning the first set with a tiebreak, Russian Petrova was 5-1 down in the second set before she retired from the match.

 “It was comfortable win,” said Tatiana Golovin. “I was surprised I had to play her. I expected to play against Ana. As I had to play a hard match yesterday, it was difficult finding my rhythm at the start today. I’m very pleased to have won and to be still be on the road to the final. I was the favourite to win this match now. I was in a different role as I expected. Tomorrow will be different, I am sure.”

Stuttgart appears to be a great place for me. This tournament is something special. I got to my first final ever here in this arena and it’s something you just don’t forget. And I also had fun at the ‘Volksfest’ here, having fun in the swings and roundabouts,’ said Golovin after she had visited the Stuttgart amusement park last night.

“I was surprised,” Jankovic said after her match against Petrova. “I didn't expect her to stop. But I know how it is to be injured like that and I want to wish her all the best. We played a tough first set, it was a good match and it was unfortunate that she stopped at 5-1 in the second set.”

“And tomorrow probably against Justine, who is up at Dementieva right now. Please don’t remind me that I am 7-0 against her in matches,” Jankovic said laughing. “I don’t have anything to lose against her tomorrow, I just go out there and do my best.”

“It is my winning mentality that keeps me going. Although I am tired and sore, I do want to win. The balls are heavier here, I used to play with Wilson and now they have Dunlop, they hurt my arms right now.”

“With a positive attitude I just keep going. I keep telling myself that I am not tired and that I don’t have aches and pains. I am going to go on until the end of the season.” 

(Stuttgart, Germany) The favourites all made it to the next round in Thursday’s play at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, but there was also huge surprise. The world No 1 Justine Henin of Belgium, last year’s winner Nadia Petrova of Russia, Serbian Jelena Jankovic and Russian Elena Dementieva of Russia all moved into the quarterfinals. However, Ana Ivanovic of Serbia was unexpectedly knocked out by Ukrainian qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko. Favourite Justine Henin, the 25-year-old Belgian beat the Russian Dinara Safina 6-4, 6-1. Henin’s next opponent Elena Dementieva overcame Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-4, 6-4.

“I’m pleased with the way my first match went,” Henin said. “I was ill and took a three week break so it’s not that easy finding one’s rhythm again. “Nevertheless, I feel fresh and fit. After having to pull out of the Australian Open the season doesn’t seem to be quite so long as it otherwise is. I’m not thinking about holidays at the moment and it’s a good sign. I’m just happy to be playing in this great arena. For us players there are only tough matches here as the field is so strong. But for the crowd, which has been so nice to me, it’s obviously marvellous.”  Justine Henin through to next round in Stuttgart

Henin’s next opponent Elena Dementieva, overcame Daniela Hantuchova  of Slovakia  6-4, 6-4. “I’ve often played against Justine and if you look at the statistics then I’ve got no chance,” Dementieva was looking forward to the meeting with the Belgian, “but it doesn’t worry me. I don’t bother about statistics.”
 
Qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko caused a huge upset when she ousted world No 5 Ana Ivanovic in three sets 6-2, 1-6 and 6-3. It was the 21-year-old Ukrainian’s fifth match in Stuttgart and she is now up against Frenchwoman Tatiana Golovin in the quarterfinals. “My fan club presented me with a lucky mascot this morning and it brought me luck,” said the world No 46, who is also in the doubles quarterfinals with her sister Alona. “The win against Ana is my biggest one on the tour up to now. It didn’t really surprise me as I prepared very hard for the tournament.”

Ana Ivanovic, the winner of last week’s event in Luxemburg, was very disappointed. “It’s such a pity I’m out of the Porsche,” the Serbian said, “but Kateryna was simply much better today. She always had answers to my questions.”

Last year’s winner Nadia Petrova defeated qualifier Michaëlla Krajicek of The Netherlands, 6-1 and 6-3 and will now meet the world No 3 Jelena Jankovic. The Serbian defeated Israel’s Shahar Peer 4-6, 6-1 and 6-3.