Charleston (USA), Apr 12: Serena Williams sailed into the semi-finals of the 1.3 million-dollar WTA tour event here where she was joined by surprising US youngster Ashley Harkleroad. Playing in her first career WTA tour quarter-final, Harkleroad needed less than an hour to roll past fifth-seeded Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova 6-2 6-1.
Harkleroad dictated play from the baseline, never allowing Huntuchova to find any rhythm on her ground strokes. Her opponent committed a whopping 41 unforced errors. Harkleroad, who will turn 18 in May, has been limited in the number of events that she has been allowed to play by the WTA tour's age eligibility rule, which states that a 17-year-old may play just 13 professional events plus the season-ending championships.
Her opponent today will be second seed Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium, who thrashed former champion Mary Pierce of France 6-2 6-3. Earlier yesterday, third seed Lindsay Davenport of the United States beat Vera Zvonareva of Russia 7-6 (7/3) 6-3. She advanced to her first semi-final at this event by using her superiority at the net, winning 20 of 21 approaches.
Davenport will play world number one Williams, who downed sixth-seeded Yugoslav Jelena Dokic 6-2 6-2 to remain undefeated in 2003. Bureau Report