Mary Pierce bows out

Hyderabad:

Flavia Pennetta of Italy made giant strides in her fledgling career to demolish fourth seed Mary Pierce of France in straight sets and storm into the semifinals of the $140,000 WTA tournament today. Giant killer Akiko Morigami of Japan also showed brilliance and brushed aside Silvija Talaja (Croatia) 6-4, 6-2 to book her berth in the last four stage. Twenty-year-old Flavia halted the veteran from the very first game itself and showed her mental toughness and talent to win the duel 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. Mary said her concentration was disturbed by a sore throat. "I had throat infection and it was bothering a bit. Though I tried to play good shots I really couldn't," Mary said and hoped that she would be back in form for the doubles match. (PTI)