ESPN Tennis

SEOUL, South Korea -- Top-seeded Maria Kirilenko advanced to the Korea Open semifinals Friday with a 6-3, 6-2 win over No. 5 Pauline Parmentier of France.

Kirilenko saved all six break points she faced and hit a forehand winner to take the first set. The Russian overcame a slow start in the second to take control as Parmentier faded in a flurry of double faults and unforced errors.

"It was a difficult match today. Every game was really difficult," Kirilenko said. "It was really tough and I'm really happy that I fight till the end."

Jill Craybas of the United States upset second-seeded Shahar Peer of Israel 6-2, 7-5 to set up a semifinals meeting with Australia's Samantha Stosur, who won 6-3, 6-4 against Ekaterina Makarova of Russia.

Kirilenko, already a champion in Estoril and Barcelona this year, will next face third-seeded Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, who defeated Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer 6-1, 6-4.

Tour veteran Craybas, 34, is chasing just her second WTA singles title after winning in Tokyo in 2002.

"I never go into a tournament not thinking that I can win," she said. "I feel like you have to go into a tournament that way. It gives you confidence and it helps you play better. So I go into every tournament thinking that I can win it."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press