Tennis:Dinara Safina's superb 2008 season continued today as she steamed into the semi-finals of the US Open with a straight-sets win over Flavia Pennetta.
Sixth-seeded Safina, runner up at the French Open in June, eased to a 6-2 6-3 win over her Italian opponent to stay on course for her first grand slam title and her fourth win on the WTA tour this season.
The Russian's victory, which took just 71 minutes to complete, always looked on the cards after breaking the 16th seed on her first service game before taking the first set at a canter with the winners flowing freely from her racquet head.
The second set was much the same story as Safina continued to get the better of the Pennetta service. Safina converted four of nine break-point chances in the match while allowing her opponent just one break-point opportunity.
It was not all plain sailing, however, with the 22-year-old Safina committing five double faults and 19 unforced errors in the course of the match.
Better will be needed if she is to reach her second grand slam final.
Safina's opponent in the last four will be the winner of the much-anticipated clash between sisters Venus and Serena Williams.