LOS ANGELES, Nov 9: Jennifer Capriati overcame Russian Anastasia Myskina 7-5 5-7 6-4 to earn a place in the semifinals of the WTA Championships on Saturday.

Russia’s Elena Dementieva also outlasted American Chanda Rubin 4-6 7-5 6-1, a result which guaranteed Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo a place in the last four.

In a match of no significance to the round-robin stages, Japan’s Ai Sugiyama upset new world number one Justine Henin-Hardenne 6-2 6-4 in a Black Group encounter.

Belgian Henin-Hardenne, who had already clinched her place in the knockout stages, now meets Mauresmo in the semis while Capriati takes on Kim Clijsters.

Capriati, who has been bothered by a problem with her right hip, moved better in her Black Group match against Myskina and struck the ball with more authority than she did in her 6-2 6-1 defeat by Henin-Hardenne on Friday.

Results:

Round-robin singles:

Black Group: 7-Ai Sugiyama (Japan) beat 2-Justine Henin-Hardenne (Belgium) 6-2 6-4; 3-Jennifer Capriati (U.S.) beat 5-Anastasia Myskina (Russia) 7-5 5-7 6-4

Red Group: 6-Elena Dementieva (Russia) beat 8-Chanda Rubin (U.S.) 4-6 7-5 6-1—Reuters