Stosur, Bartoli enter Japan Open semifinals

Top-seeded Samantha Stosur reached the Japan Open semifinals with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over seventh-seeded Chanelle Scheepers on Saturday.

US Open champion Stosur hit six aces and saved all four break points she faced while converting three break points of her own against her South African opponent at the Utsubo Tennis Center.

The sixth-ranked Australian player next faces either Petra Cetkovska or Jie Zheng, with Zheng leading 0-6, 7-5, 3-2 when play was suspended because of rain.

Second-seeded Marion Bartoli of France also reached the semifinals after beating sixth-seeded Ayumi Morita of Japan 6-2, 6-1.

Bartoli faces third-seeded Angelique Kerber after the German player beat defending champion Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-3, 6-4.