Maria Kirilenko beats Elena Vesnina to enter Pattaya Open semis

Pattaya, Thailand:  Second-seeded Maria Kirilenko of Russia reached the Pattaya Open semifinals by beating Elena Vesnina 7-6 (6), 6-3 Friday.

Kirilenko, who last year lost to Ana Ivanovic in the final, will take on Sorana Cirstea of Romania on Saturday. Cirstea defeated Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 6-0.

Another Russian, Nina Bratchikova, ended Ayumi Morita's run in the tournament with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 victory. Morita had knocked out defending champion Ivanovic in the first round.

Bratchikova will next face fifth-seeded Sabine Lisicki, who dropped the first set against Marina Erakovic of New Zelaand before winning 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.