Another win for Maria in Birmingham

2 matches played today, 2 matches won.  Maria has scored her 2nd win today in Birmingham as she defeated unseeded Elena Likhovtseva of Russia 6-2 6-3 in 1 hour and 11 minutes to reach the semis.

Maria started the match well by breaking Likhovtseva in the 1st game and continued her good form and had 4 set-points on Likhovteva's serve at 5-1 but was unable to take them and then held her serve and took the set on an ace in 32 minutes.

Maria broke Likhovtseva in the 1st game on a blistering forehand return winner and then held her service game to love on her 2nd ace of the match.  Likhovtseva was then able to level the set 2-2 when Maria netted a forehand and then took the next game to lead 3-2 when Maria hit a backhand long.  Maria then took the next 4 games and took the match on an easy forehand into an open court.

In the semis to be played tomorrow, Maria will play either Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia or Marion Bartoli of France.