Maria Kirilenko reaches semis

Pattoya - Second-seeded Maria Kirilenko of Russia reached the Pattaya Open semifinals by beating Elena Vesnina 7-6 (6), 6-3 Friday.

Kirilenko, who last year lost to Ana Ivanovic in the final, will take on Sorana Cirstea of Romania on Saturday. Cirstea defeated Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 6-0.

Another Russian, Nina Bratchikova, ended Ayumi Morita's run in the tournament with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 victory. Morita had knocked out defending champion Ivanovic in the first round.

Bratchikova will next face fifth-seeded Sabine Lisicki, who dropped the first set against Marina Erakovic of New Zealand before winning 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.

Results from the fifth day of the WTA Pattaya Open on Friday (x denotes seeded player):

Quarter-finals

Nina Bratchikova (RUS) bt Ayumi Morita (JPN) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
Sabine Lisicki (GER x5) bt Marina Erakovic (NZL) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
Sorana Cirstea (ROM x4) bt Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 6-3, 6-0
Maria Kirilenko (RUS x2) bt Elena Vesnina (RUS x7) 7-6 (8/6), 6-3