Tennis: Pe'er into Memphis semis

The Israeli, who is the highest remaining seed in the event, outlasts Sofia Arvidsson 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 in the last eight.

By ALLON SINAI
peer action 298.88 (photo credit: AP)
peer action 298.88
(photo credit: AP)
Shahar Pe'er advanced to her second semifinal of the year on Thursday, outlasting Sofia Arvidsson 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 in the last eight in Memphis. The Israeli, who is the highest remaining seed in the event after Venus Williams and Tatiana Golovin lost in the first round, had to come back from a third set deficit for a second straight day on Thursday and only claimed the win after a marathon one hour and 53 minute long encounter. Pe'er (18 in the world) will face Olga Govortsova (49) in the last four after the Belarusian defeated German Julia Goerges (119) 7-6 (5), 6-2 on Thursday. Arvidsson (71) broke Pe'er in the first game of the quarterfinal and claimed the first set 6-3. After splitting the first two games of the second set Pe'er reeled off five straight games to win the set and tie the match. Pe'er who saved nine of Arvidsson's 13 break points, got a crucial break on her seventh break point of the sixth game of the third set (4-2) and wrapped up the win by holding serve in the ninth game. Meanwhile, Justine Henin lost in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Thursday, falling to Francesca Schiavone of Italy 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4). "She played really well," Henin said. "She was hitting hard, coming to the net, slicing ... really mixing it up. I had my chances but I did not take them, whereas she did. She was definitely a better player and deserved to win." The top-ranked Belgian, who won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award last week, earned her 41st career title and first of 2008 this month at the Diamond Games in her home country. The defending champion in Dubai, however, lost her chance to win the Golden Slam when she was eliminated in the Australian Open quarterfinals by eventual champion Maria Sharapova. After playing in Melbourne, Henin got cortisone treatment on her right knee. Prior to the loss, Henin had won 17 straight matches in Dubai and led 7-0 over the 24th-ranked Schiavone, whose previous best finish in Dubai was a quarterfinal loss to Henin in 2006. "I have beaten (Amelie) Mauresmo when she was world No. 1 in a Fed Cup match, but definitely this win against someone like Justine, who always plays at such a high level, is the biggest win of my career," Schiavone said.