MASON, Ohio (AP) Kim Clijsters is back in form.
The defending U.S. Open champion reached the semifinals at the Cincinnati Open on Friday, beating Italy's Flavia Pennetta in two tight sets played in oppressive heat. The fourth-seeded Clijsters will face Serbia's Ana Ivanovic.
Clijsters is the highest remaining seed. Five of the top eight were eliminated on Thursday. Serena and Venus Williams dropped out before the tournament began with injuries.
Clijsters returned to tennis in Cincinnati last year, reaching the quarterfinals after a two-year break to start a family. The 27-year-old Belgian won the U.S. Open a few weeks later. This year, she took a break after Wimbledon and wants to use Cincinnati as a springboard again.