Kuznetsova wins all-Russian duel to reach semis

PARIS, June 6 (Reuters) Svetlana Kuznetsova recovered from an atrocious start to beat fellow Russian Dinara Safina 7-6 6-0 in the French Open quarter-finals today.

The 2004 U S Open champion will face either 17-year-old Czech Nicole Vaidisova or American Venus Williams in her first Roland Garros semi-final.

Safina had upset another Russian Maria Sharapova in the fourth round and raced into a 5-1 lead against Kuznetsova who could barely put a ball in court early on.

The eighth seed fought her way back, however, and controlled the tiebreak, winning it 7-5 with a bludgeoned forehand winner down the line.

The second set lasted only 20 minutes. Kuznetsova ran Safina ragged and a big first serve on her first match point was enough to clinch victory on centre court.

REUTERS DH BST1810