STUTTGART, Germany(AP) Second-seeded Elena Dementieva defeated Marion Bartoli 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 Friday to reach the semifinals of the Porsche Grand Prix for the third time.
Dementieva needed four match points to finish off Bartoli, hitting a deep backhand on the line to clinch her third consecutive victory over the Frenchwoman.
I am very glad I was able to finish strongly,'' Dementieva said.It was a very emotional match for both of us.''
Dementieva was up a break in the second set and led 4-3, but Bartoli won the next three games to even the match.
Dementieva proved to be the steadier player in the third, when Bartoli hit big winners followed by mistakes on easier shots. The Russian took a 4-0 lead, but Bartoli rallied to win the next three games.