Tennis-Open-Chakvetadze reaches first major semi-final

NEW YORK, Sept 5 (Reuters) Russian Anna Chakvetadze beat Israeli 18th seed Shahar Peer 6-4 6-1 at the US Open to reach her first grand slam semi-final today.

The sixth seed, who has won four titles this year, came from a break down in both sets to set up a clash with former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.

''I'm so excited,'' Chakvetadze told the crowd.

''I was so nervous before the match. Even though it was straight sets it was a really tough match.

''(In the second set) I just started to play more aggressively and Shahar's level went down a bit, so I took my opportunity.'' Peer began well, breaking in the fifth game on her way to a 4-2 lead but Chakvetadze hit back, using the angles well to win four straight games and take the set.

The Israeli gave herself hope when she broke in the first game of the second set but Chakvetadze stopped Peer in her tracks and won six successive games to reach the last four.

The Russian lacks the strength of many of her rivals but, as former world number one Martina Hingis did, what she lacks in brawn she makes up for with her brain.

''I don't have these powerful groundstrokes so I just fight until the end and am trying to play smart,'' she said.

''A lot of people compare me with Martina. I never played like this when I was a junior. I was hitting really flat balls and I couldn't win a match. That's why I changed it, I knew that I needed to do something else.'' Chakvetadze has lost both her previous meetings with Kuznetsova.

''She's a favourite in this match, so I have nothing to lose and no pressure. For me it's much easier to play with no pressure, so I will try to do my best,'' she said.

Peer beat Chakvetadze in their most recent meeting, at Indian Wells in March, but struggled to find her best form on the day.

''I'm really, really disappointed because I beat Anna this year,'' she said.

''I'm improving things and I think this tournament I was playing really good, so I'm kind of happy of the way I was playing, but not happy that I lost today.'' Reuters PBB RN0201