MADRID, May 23 (UPI) -- Top seed Monica Seles of the United States cruised into the semifinals of the $170,000 Madrid Open claycourt tennis tournament on Thursday.
Seles, who had a bye in the first round and a straight-set win in the second round, posted a 6-3, 6-2 victory over fifth seed Anna Smashnova of Israel. Seles is seeking her 53rd career title and first since Qatar.
Paola Suarez of Aregntina will face Seles in the semifinals. The 25-year-old Suarez defeated qualifier and compatriot Clarisa Fernandez, 6-4, 7-5. Suarez won two titles last year and lost her only career match against Seles.
American Chanda Rubin, who upset second-seeded Spaniard Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the second round, defeated Spain's Magui Serna, 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday. Rubin also reached the quarterfinals here in 1999.
Rubin will face Fabiola Zuluaga of Colombia. The 23-year-old Zuluaga overcame Frenchwoman Emilie Loit, 4-6, 6-0, 7-5. Rubin and Zuluaga each have three titles, but the American has won the only two ncounters.
