HOME   
   NEWS   
   BUSINESS   
   CRICKET   
   SPORTS   
   MOVIES   
   NET GUIDE   
   SHOPPING   
   BLOGS  
   ASTROLOGY  
   MATCHMAKER  


Search:



The Web

Rediff








Sports
News
Interviews
Specials
Slide Shows
Hockey
Chess



Home > Sports > News > PTI > Report

Pennetta shocks Pierce

February 06, 2003 21:43 IST

Young Flavia Pennetta of Italy scored a major upset when she demolished fourth seed Mary Pierce of France in straight sets to storm into the semi-finals of the $140,000 WTA tournament in Hyderabad on Thursday.

The 20-year-old Italian displayed immense mental toughness to shock the Frenchwoman 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 and set up a clash with second seed Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand, who got ther better of Maria Kirilenko of Russia 7-6 (8/6), 6-3..

Giant-killer Akiko Morigami of Japan also displayed brilliance before brushing aside Silvija Talaja (Croatia) 6-4, 6-2 to book a berth in the last four stage. She will meet Iroda Tulyanganova of Uzbekistan, who rallied to get the better of  Tzipora Obziler of Israel 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 in another quarter-final.

Pierce said her concentration was disturbed by a sore throat.

"I had throat infection and it was bothering a bit. Though I tried to play good shots I really couldn't," Pierce said, adding she hopes to be back in form for the doubles match.

Results

Quarter-finals: Flavia Pennetta (Italy) bt Mary Pierce (France) 7-6 (7/4) 6-3; Akiko Morigami (Japan) bt Silvija Talaja (Croatia) 6-4, 6-2; Iroda Tulyanganova (Uzbekistan) bt Tzipora Obziler (Israel) 4-6, 6-2, 6-0; Tamarine Tanasugarn (Thailand) bt Maria Kirilenko (Russia) 7-6 (8/6), 6-3.


© Copyright 2003 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.



Article Tools

Email this Article

Printer-Friendly Format

Letter to the Editor



Related Stories


Mary Pierce, Maria enter quarters

Sania, Manisha go down fighting

Pierce-Sania win easily



People Who Read This Also Read


Bopanna, Mara to meet in opener

India unpredictable

Zim won't play if matches shifted







HOME   
   NEWS   
   BUSINESS   
   CRICKET   
   SPORTS   
   MOVIES   
   NET GUIDE   
   SHOPPING   
   BLOGS  
   ASTROLOGY  
   MATCHMAKER  
Copyright © 2003 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.