Tennis-Open-Kuznetsova, Chakvetadze advance to semis

NEW YORK, Sept 6 (Reuters) Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova ended the inspired run of teenager Agnes Szavay yesterday to set up an all-Russian semi-final against Anna Chakvetadze at the US Open.

The 22-year-old Kuznetsova never lost her serve and needed only 67 minutes to oust the 18-year-old Hungarian 6-1 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I had so much energy out there today and I thought I was nervous but I could control it," said fourth-seeded Kuznetsova, the 2004 Open champion. "I feel so fresh for the semi-final. I'm ready to go to give it my best shot." Sixth-seeded Chakvetadze, 20, advanced to the last four of a grand slam for the first time by overwhelming Israeli 18th seed Shahar Peer 6-4 6-1.

On the men's side, fourth seed Russian Nikolay Davydenko continued his stroll through the draw with a 6-3 6-3 6-4 quarter-final victory over German 10th seed Tommy Haas.

Davydenko has not lost a set during the Open and will face the winner of the encounter between three-times defending champion Roger Federer and 2003 winner Andy Roddick.

Also last night, twice former champion Venus Williams will battle third seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia for the chance to meet world number one Justine Henin in the other semi-final of the women's draw.

'TOUGH MATCH' Kuznetsova has only lost one set during her five Open matches but expects a "tough match" against Chakvetadze.

"She's extremely confident because she's won a couple tournaments on the hard court," Kuznetsova said. "She's an up-and-coming player.

"I think the difference is going to be that I have a little bit more experience. I've been in a semi-final before. It's her first time." The 31st-ranked Szavay had not lost a set in her previous four matches but got steamrollered yesterday and tipped Kuznetsova to reach the final.

"She has everything, a good serve, a big forehand," said Szavay, playing in only her third grand slam event. "She has a big, big forehand and her backhand is also good. She's tough mentally." Chakvetadze converted five of eight break points to defeat the 20-year-old Peer for the third time in four meetings.

"I don't have powerful groundstrokes and I just fight until the end and try to play smart," said Chakvetadze.

Peer had become a crowd favourite and the partisan cheering seemed to inspire Chakvetadze.

"I was a little nervous because the crowd was against me, but I thought to myself, 'I will die on this court. I have to win. I have to prove that I can win'," said Chakvetadze.

Peer said she was particularly upset at the loss because she had beaten Chakvetadze at Indian Wells earlier this year.

"I'm disappointed I lost but she was playing good today," she said.

REUTERS PBB RN0710