In a match that lasted almost three hours Tuesday night Kuznetsova, seeded eighth, finally overcame her 18-year-old opponent Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark to snatch victory in three sets 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1.
The 23-year-old Russian was cited on the tournament website as saying in a post-match interview "She [Wozniacki] was running and she was recovering many balls. She forced me to miss. But I think when I was playing the right tactics and the right game and mixing her up I was in control of everything."
Kuznetsova will now face Victoria Azarenka from Belarus, who easily won her quarterfinal match crushing Australia's Samantha Stosur in straight sets 6-1, 6-0.
Speaking about the forthcoming semifinal against Kuznetsova, who has not won a tournament title since August 2007, Azarenka said the Russian was in good shape and playing well this year.
"She's a great player. Obviously she has been playing very well this tournament, too. She had a great win today. I just want to keep going and play the same way I played today. Hopefully maybe better if it's possible," Azarenka was cited on the tournament website.
Both players have already played each other three times with the Russian winning all their previous matches.
