WARSAW, May 5: Belgian world number two Kim Clijsters moved into the semifinals of the Warsaw Cup on Friday by defeating fifth seed Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4 6-4.

In 10 meetings Schiavone has yet to win a set against Clijsters and, although the match was always competitive, she did not look like doing so this time either.

“I felt pretty good out there today,” said Clijsters.

“I did exactly what I had to do, which was to be aggressive and try not to let her play the game she loves to play, which is moving her opponent around, mixing her game up and attacking with her forehand.”

The Italian made the better start in both sets but failed to maintain her advantage. She broke Clijsters to love to lead 2-0 but a double fault and a netted overhead allowed the Belgian to break back in the fifth game.

A further break to 4-3 when Schiavone netted a volley was enough to give Clijsters the set.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with Schiavone holding off three break points and then breaking Clijsters to 2-0.

But a fourth double fault and then a backhand down the line that forced a backhand error from Schiavone allowed Clijsters to break back immediately.

The players were level to 4-4 where Schiavone hit an easy smash wide to give Clijsters a break point.

Riding her luck, a forehand from Clijsters then clipped the net to give her the break and she served out the match with ease.

“I didn't really concentrate, because otherwise you can't miss that ball,” said Schiavone of the smash.

“My problem was I was playing one point, two points, one game, two games (well), but if you want to beat Kim you have to play every point consistently and I think today I didn't do it,” she added.

Results (quarterfinals)

Anna Chakvetadze (Russia) beat Ana Ivanovic (Serbia and Montenegro) 4-6 6-2 6-4; 1-Kim Clijsters (Belgium) beat 5-Francesca Schiavone (Italy) 6-4 6-4

ESTORIL INTERNATIONAL