Chakvetadze maintains winning run to book Hantuchova semi

STANFORD, California, July 28 (Reuters) Top seed Anna Chakvetadze continued her rich vein of US hardcourt form by defeating Katarina Srebotnik 4-6 6-2 6-2 to move into the semi-finals of the Stanford Classic.

The Russian, last week's winner in Cincinnati, will meet third seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, who overcame qualifier Olga Govortsova 7-5 6-3.

Eight seed Sybille Bammer of Austria also moved ahead, destroying American Lilia Osterloh 6-2 6-1. Bammer will play the winner of the match between Swiss fourth seed Patty Schnyder and India's Sania Mirza.

Srebotnik, the seventh seed, successfully boomed big serves and forehands at the Russian to seal the first set, but Chakvetadze raced out to a 5-0 lead in the second set, and the Slovenian could not recover.

Chakvetadze continued her fine form in the third, immediately breaking Srebotnik to go 2-0 up. She was never pushed on her own service games and broke her opponent again to win the contest yesterday when she unleashed a backhand down the line winner.

''The first set was really up and down,'' said the Russian.

''I started to play more aggressive in the second set. I served and returned better and then I made her run more, which is what you need to do on a faster court.'' RIPPING BALLS In reaching her fifth semi-final of the year, Hantuchova played a cool and collected contest against the 18-year-old Govortsova from Belarus, who attempted to win the match by ripping balls to the corners.

''She came out playing unbelievably and I just tried to wait for my chances,'' Hantuchova said. ''I had the right plan and it was just a matter of time before it worked out. I needed to be patient and just make her play.'' Govortsova melted down in the final game, double faulting twice and making two unforced errors.

''I was putting more and more pressure on her as the match moved on and on her serve, I had an opportunity to break her in almost every game,'' Hantuchova said.

Reuters BJR VP0735