Clijsters through to semis at Gaz de France

PARIS -- Top-seeded Kim Clijsters narrowly escaped defeat to reach the semifinals at the Gaz de France on Friday, beating Italy's Silvia Farina Elia s. 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Farina Elia served for victory at 6-3, 5-3 but then managed to win only three points in the next four games as Clijsters came back to win the second set.

"I really made a whole pile of errors today," Clijsters said.

Clijsters faces a semifinal against Russia's Dinara Safina, who beat No. 5 Francesca Schiavone 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

The 17-year-old Russian, sister of male star Marat Safin, has now won six matches this week -- three in qualifying rounds and three in the main draw.

The win over Schiavone was Safina's second victory over a seeded player. The Russian eliminated No. 3 Patty Schnyder, an Australian Open semifinalist, in the second round.

In the other quarterfinals, Mary Pierce beat Russia's Elena Bovina 6-3, 6-4 and French teenager Ttiana Golvin upset second-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia 6-4, 6-4 to reach her first WTA circuit semifinal.