World number one and top-seeded Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne overcame Nathalie Dechy 6-1, 7-5 at the Qatar Open on Thursday to set up a semi-final clash with her Dubai Open final opponent Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Second seed Jennifer Capriati defeated Italian Silvia Farina Elia 7-6, 6-1 to book a semi-final meeting with defending champion and third seed Russian Anastasia Myskina, who beat China's Zheng Jie 6-2, 7-5.
Kuznetsova, beaten by Henin-Hardenne in straight sets in last weekend's Dubai final, rallied from a set down to beat American Meghann Shaughnessy 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Henin-Hardenne, winner of three titles already this year, including the Australian Open, stormed through the first set breaking Dechy at will to stamp her authority.
She struggled in the second set, however, as the Frenchwoman matched her shot for shot. After a number of prolonged rallies, Henin-Hardenne finally broke her opponent in the 12th game to win the match.
"She (Dechy) played better than me in the second set," said Henin-Hardenne.
"The match could have gone into three sets, but I am happy that I found a way out to win it. These things happen and you have to be at your best," she added.
Asked about her semi-final against Kuznetsova, she said: "I know it will be a tough match, but I am positive I could make it to the final. She (Kuznetsova) has improved a lot and I will have to raise the level of my game," she said.
Capriati began slowly against Farina Elia, and, after no breaks of serve in the first set, the American took the tiebreak 8-6. She found her rhythm in the second set, speeding through to trounce her rival 6-1 and wrap up the match.
"It was not a nervous start. I wasn't warmed up properly," former world number one Capriati said. "I took time to settle down, so I would rather call it a slow start.
"Overall I played well. She (Farina Elia) has been playing quite often, which I haven't been due to injuries," she added.
Kuznetsova lost the first set against Shaughnessy but hit back in the second, coming up with display which was as effective as it was effervescent.
In the decider she played consistently well and Shaughnessy had no answers to the Russian's power game.
