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| Lindsay Davenport advances to the semis at the Bank of the West Classic. |
STANFORD, California (Ticker) - American Lindsay Davenport had to exert a lot more effort but nevertheless advanced to the semifinals of the $585,000 Bank of the West Classic on Friday. The second seed, Davenport outlasted
compatriot and lucky loser Mashona Washington, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, to reach the penultimate round. On Thursday night, Davenport crushed Russian Lioudmila Skavronskaia, 6-1, 6-1. Davenport, who had not faced Washington, awaits the winner of the match between fourth seed Francesca Schiavone of Italy and No. 8 Maria Vento-Kabchi of Venezuela. Friday night, top seed Venus Williams of the U.S. takes on Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi of Israel.
Williams, who dominated American Lindsay Lee-Waters on Wednesday, won her only previous meeting with Smashnova-Pistolesi in straight sets. American Amy Frazier, the sixth seed, was the first to reach the semifinals, dispatching third seed Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), earlier Friday. Frazier, who also reached the final four here in 1999, awaits the winner of Williams' match with Smashnova-Pistolesi. First prize is $93,000.