10/05/2008 9:06:41 AM
Giant killer Dinara Safina struck again at the Qatar Telecom German Open with a three-set victory over number five seed Serena Williams.
The 13th-seeded Russian upset Williams 2-6 6-1 7-6 (7-5), in the quarter-finals of the claycourt event.
Safina, 22, also shocked world number one Justine Henin in three sets earlier in the week.
While Henin has been inconsistent in recent months, Williams came into this event as the hottest player on the WTA Tour.
The 26-year-old American had won 17 straight matches, including three consecutive titles at Bangalore, Miami and Charleston. The former world number one had lost only once in 22 matches this season prior to the clash.
Safina, who has not won a WTA event since January 2007, is through to her first semi-final of the season.
Her opponent there will be another tournament surprise - Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
The unseeded Azarenka advanced with a 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 upset of 15th-seeded Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko.
The 18-year-old also shook up the draw earlier in the tournament with a stunning three-set win over second seed Anna Chakvetadze.
Defending champion and second seed Ana Ivanovic and 10th-seeded Hungarian Agnes Szavay were level at 3-6 6-4 in their quarter-final on the other side of the draw when play was suspended due to bad light.
The match will be completed prior to the start of the semi-finals.
Serbian Ivanovic is trying to avoid the fate of countrywoman and fourth seed Jelena Jankovic, who was ousted by seventh seed Elena Dementieva of Russia 6-3 2-6 6-3.
The 26-year-old, seeking her 10th career title, would not mind seeing Ivanovic in the semi-finals as she has won all three previous meetings between the two.
Quarter-final results from the German Open:
13 – Dinara Safina (Russia) bt. 5 – Serena Williams (USA) 2-6 6-1 7-6 (7-5)
Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) bt. 15 – Alona Bondarenko (Ukraine) 7-6 (7-2) 6-2
7 – Elena Dementieva (Russia) bt. 4 – Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 6-3 2-6 6-3
2 - Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) is tied with 10 - Agnes Szavay (Hungary) 3-6 6-4 - suspended due to darkness