V.Williams makes Korea Open semifinals

SEOUL, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Top-seeded Venus Williams said she wasn’t at her best but still won in straight sets Friday in quarterfinal play of the $145,000 Korea Open tennis tournament.

Williams trailed 1-3 in the second set before posting a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Marta Domachowska and earning a spot in Saturday’s tournament semifinals.

Her semifinal opponent is Flavia Pennetta, who rolled to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Ayumi Morita in her quarterfinal match.

"I wasn't at my best today," Williams said after her match. "There is no specific problem, I just feel a little tired. Now it is time to get ready for the semifinal."

The other semifinal will pit fourth-seeded Maria Kirilenko, who won last week’s tournament in India, against defending Korea Open champion Eleni Daniilidou.

Kirilenko stretched her winning streak to eight matches with a 6-3, 6-0 win Friday over Catalina Castano and Daniilidou, seeded fifth in Seoul, advanced when second-seeded Agnes Szavay retired with a thigh injury.

The winners of Saturday’s semifinals in Seoul are scheduled to play Sunday for the tournament title. The Korea Open champion will earn $21,140.