Petrova beats Safina to reach Paris Open semi-finals

PARIS, Feb 9 (Reuters) Nadia Petrova qualified for the Paris Open semi-finals with a clinical 6-3 6-2 victory over Dinara Safina in an all-Russian clash today.

The world number seven played solid tennis throughout to knock down Marat Safin's younger sister, a winner in Paris in 2005, in one hour and two minutes.

Petrova, seeded fourth, now meets either compatriot Anna Chakvetadze or France's Amelie Mauresmo.

Seventh seed Safina saved six break points in the second game, only for Petrova to steal her serve in the seventh and claim the set in 42 minutes.

''First set we were both very tense, you could feel the tension on the court,'' said Petrova in a court interview.

''I was very strong mentally and then started to play better and better. Now I'm looking to the next level.'' Petrova, who only had one break point against her, broke in the second set opener and again in the seventh game before wrapping up the win on her first match point.

Later, Belgian Justine Henin takes on Tatiana Golovin of France and Czech Lucie Safarova plays Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova.

REUTERS SAM HS2138