Razzano Upsets Zvonareva To Reach Dubai Semis

Razzano squandered a 5-3 lead in the first set before clinching it by winning the tiebreak 9-7.

Virginie Razzano upset fifth seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva 7-6 7-5 on Thursday to set up a semi-final date with Estonia's Kaia Kanepi at the Dubai Championships.

Unseeded Frenchwoman Razzano came out firing from the start of the two hour 23-minute match, which consisted of furiously-contested baseline rallies right until the final ball.

Razzano squandered a 5-3 lead in the first set before clinching it by winning the tiebreak 9-7.

After trading seven breaks of serve in the second set, Razzano sealed victory with a backhand winner down the line.

"Today I wasn't ready to stay out there for three hours like she was," Zvonareva told reporters. "It was mentally tough for me because I was fighting through so many matches in a row.

"I had concentration lapses throughout the whole match. I would play a game or two and then I would completely go down for a game or two, and you cannot do it at such a level against a player who is in form."

Kanepi is expected to become the first Estonian to break into the world's top 20 after following up her victory against Jelena Jankovic with a 6-3 7-5 win over Russian qualifier Elena Vesnina.

Kanepi placed Vesnina under pressure from the start and broke for 4-2 lead with a scorching forehand and went on to win set.

The second set was more closely contested.

Kanepi served for the match at 5-4 but was broken to love. She regained the advantage in the next game and served out for victory at her second opportunity.

"It was difficult," said Kanepi. "I didn't play my best game and she hit some uncomfortable shots for me.

"I had so many chances in the first few games to break her but didn't take my chances. Then when I was serving for the match I rushed too much."

Venus Williams will play defending champion Elena Dementieva, while Serena Williams tackles Ana Ivanovic later on Thursday.