Fierce Pierce too strong for exhausted Peng
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-08 05:37

SAN DIEGO: Less than 24 hours after causing one of the biggest upsets of the 2005 WTA Tour season, Peng Shuai's amazing run came to a halt in the semi-finals of the Accura Classic on Saturday.

China's Shuai Peng reacts after having her serve broken in the second set by France's Mary Pierce during their semi-final tennis match at the Acura Classic in Carlsbad, California, August 6, 2005. Pierce defeated Peng 6-2 6-2. [Reuters]

China's Peng, who stunned former World No 1 Kim Clijsters 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals, was dominated by France's Mary Pierce 6-2, 6-2 in the US$1.3 million hardcourt event.

"She's definitely playing well and she's a dangerous player if you let her play," Pierce said of Peng. "So, the key for me today was hitting the ball hard and deep, being aggressive and trying to come forward."

Pierce, the French Open finalist this year, is eager for the finals match-up and a chance to earn her 17th career title but first US outdoor hardcourt crown in her 16-year career.

"It's nice to know there are still some firsts in my career... it keeps it fresh," said Pierce, a runnerup here to Lindsay Davenport in 1998.

"It would be great to win the tournament. I've got one more match and I'm going to try to do everything I can to win it."

The 30-year-old Pierce has had a fantastic summer. The two-time Grand Slam champion has captured 15 of her last 17 matches.

After disposing of Clijsters on Friday night, Peng went out to play a three-set doubles match that might have taken its toll.

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