Zvonareva Falls as Hantuchova Advances in Thailand

By Erik Gudris                                      Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

(February 10th, 2012) Defending champion Daniela Hantuchova has yet to drop a set as she keeps her hopes alive of winning her second PTT Pattaya Open title. Hantuchova reached the semifinals today after battling American Vania King in a tight quarterfinal match that saw King push Hantuchova to a 16-point first tie break before Hantuchova prevailed 7-6, 6-4. Hantuchova now faces surprise semifinalist Su-Wei Hsieh of Taiwan.

Two-time champion and top seed Vera Zvonareva is leaving Thailand earlier than she hoped after a left hip injury forced her to retire against No. 7 seed Sorana Cirstea 2-6, 6-4, 2-2 (ret.) in their quarterfinal match. Cirstea will now face in the semifinals Russia's Maria Kirilenko who took out local veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn 7-6, 6-1.