Pierce advances to semis

NDTV: "Local favourite Mary Pierce and Russian pair Nadia Petrova and Elena Likhovsteva advanced to the semi-finals of the French Open on Tuesday. While Pierce upset top seed Lindsay Davenport 6-3 6-2, Petrova thrashed Ana Ivanovic 6-2 6-2 and Likhovsteva came back from a set down to beat rising star Sesil Karatantcheva 2-6 6-4 6-4.

All eyes were on Bulgarian prodigy Karatantcheva as she took to the Philippe Chatrier court for her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. The 15 year-old showed few signs of nerves as she got off to a great start. Last year's junior champion at Roland Garros was showing the form which helped her eliminate former world number one Venus Williams in the third round as she raced through the first set 6-2 in just 34 minutes.

Likhovsteva showed her mettle by beating last year's finalist Elena Dementieva in a tough three setter in the previous round, and the 29 year-old displayed her resilience again. After being outplayed early, she fought back courageously to win four of the last five games, and advance to the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time, with a 2-6 6-4 6-4 win in just over two hours.

Petrova advances to her second semi-final in three years at Roland Garros, where she'll take on Justine Henin-Hardenne. Frenchwoman Mary Pierce gave the home fans reason to be hopeful, and ended the USA's involvement in the singles draw by eliminating a lacklustre Lindsay Davenport in the final match on Tuesday.

The 30 year-old Pierce, who won the Roland Garros title in 2000, won 6-3 6-2 and will now fancy her chances of reaching the final, because she'll take on unheralded Elena Likhovsteva in the semi-finals. (AP)"