Russia's Maria Sharapova advanced to the semi-finals of a 6.9 million-dollar WTA and ATP Hardcourt Tournament here on Wednesday, the fourth seed ousting compatriot Anastasia Myskina 6-3, 6-3.
Sharapova, a finalist here last year, goes for a return to the championship match in a Thursday semi-final against France's Tatiana Golovin, who defeated China's Zheng Jie 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Sharapova fired 26 winners and was happy that she raised her level of play.
"I'm very pleased. I definitely stepped it up in this match," Sharapova said. "I knew I had to. It was very important that I did step it up. I took my opportunities, took my chances, and that was important."
Sharapova has won both prior matches against Golovin but does not take her semi-final foe lightly.
"She has had a really good week. She's beaten some good players," Sharapova said. "Just have to keep improving with every match. It's going to get tougher and tougher as you go along in the tournament."
Unseeded Zheng's remarkable run included the ouster of France's Nathalie Dechy and 16th seed Anna-Lena Groenefeld. She took the first set off Golovin before her 24th-rated foe rallied to win in two hours and five minutes.
"This is the first time for a Chinese player to reach the quarter-finals in a big tournament," Zheng said. "It's no big surprise. Just a quarter. If you win the tournament it's a big surprise."
A blister on her left foot in the final set slowed Zheng, caused in part she said by problems with her shoes.
Zheng said China's desire to perform well at the 2008 Olympics has been a factor in improved tennis results by Chinese players.
"We're trying to do some things the professional way," Zheng said. "Also we try to prepare for 2008. It's the same thing. If we get (on top) in the pro tour, also we can get there in 2008."
The other women's semi-final will match world number one Amelie Mauresmo of France and 12th-seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Croatian sixth seed Ivan Ljubicic advanced to the men's semi-finals with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 victory over Argentina's Agustin Calleri.
The 27-year-old, seeking his third title of the year after triumphs at Chennai and Zagreb, will play for a spot in the final against another Argentine foe, third seed David Nalbandian, who defeated Croatian Mario Ancic 6-2, 6-2.
Ljubicic and Ancic helped Croatia capture the Davis Cup last year.
One quarter-final Friday matches Swiss world number one Roger Federer against American ninth seed James Blake in a rematch of the Indian Wells ATP Masters final earlier this month.
The other sends American fourth seed Andy Roddick and Spain's David Ferrer.
COLLATED RESULTS (x denotes seed):
WOMEN'S (Quarter-finals): Tatiana Golovin (FRA) bt Zheng Jie (CHN) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2; Maria Sharapova (RUS x4) bt Anastasia Myskina (RUS) 6-3, 6-3.
MEN'S (Quarter-finals): Ivan Ljubicic (CRO x6) bt Agustin Calleri (ARG) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3; David Nalbandian (ARG x3) bt Mario Ancic (CRO) 6-2, 6-2.
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