Injured Clijsters into final four

Clijsters will play Dementieva next

Kim Clijsters overcame an arm injury to beat Italy's Silvia Farina Elia 6-1 2-6 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the Leipzig Grand Prix.

The defending champion and top seed was hampered by a pain in her right arm but will be fit to play in the semi-final.

"I have seen the physio about it," said Clijsters.

"Fortunately I can go home next week. It will be okay for the next match."

I made too many errors and didn't serve well

Kim Clijsters

Second seed Nathalie Tauziat beat Anne Kremer 6-2 5-7 6-2 to join Klijsters the semi-finals.

The Frenchwoman will now play Bulgaria's Magdalena Maleeva, who beat Russia's Anastasia Myskina 6-4 6-3.

Clijsters, the French Open runner-up looked in control in the early stages outpowering Farina Elia and forcing the fifth seed into numerous errors.

But the 18-year-old then missed a couple of chances in the opening game of the second set allowing her opponent back into the game.

"She played very well in the second set," said Clijsters

"I made too many errors and didn't serve well."

'Close matches'

Clijsters saved two break points early in the third set before taking Farina Elia's serve with a powerful forehand for a 2-1 lead.

After re-establishing control she converted her second match point with a forehand winner.

Clijsters next meets seventh seed Russian Elena Dementieva, who beat Slovakian qualifier Daniela Hantuchova 6-4 6-3.

"I've had close matches against both of them, so it will be tough," Clijsters added.