Seles and Williams into semis

Seles brushed aside the challenge of Angeles Montolio

Click here for Thursday's results from Dubai

Monica Seles and Venus Williams enjoyed differing form as they both strode into the semi-finals of the Dubai Open on Thursday.

Number two seed Seles took just 46 minutes to overwhelm seventh seed Angeles Montolio of Spain 6-0 6-2.

While top seed Williams dropped a set and struggled in the third before beating Russian Anastasia Myskina 6-0 3-6 6-4.

Seles and Williams were joined in the semis by fourth seed Sandrine Testud who swept past Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-2 6-0.

I just tried to stay aggressive

Monica Seles

Seles, who claimed her 52nd career singles title in Doha on Sunday, won the first eight games but then dropped her serve.

She was also broken when serving for victory at 5-1, but she immediately broke back to take the match.

"I hadn't played her before and didn't know what to expect, but she gave me the kind of ball I liked," the American said afterwards.

"Even though I lost two service games I still thought that I served well, but definitely my returns were the best thing today.

"I just tried to stay aggressive, but it was a very difficult match to play because of the wind.

Testud's aggressive style paid dividends

Testud was similarly pleased with her display.

"I was very concentrated on the return of serve, and I was aggressive, especially when she was playing her second serve," said Testud.

"And I didn't make many mistakes. That's the whole story."

Third seed Amelie Mauresmo faces Slovenia's Tina Pisnik for the last place in the semi-finals.

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Thursday's quarter-finals results from the Dubai Open

M Seles (US, 2) bt A Montolio (Spa, 7) 6-0 6-2
S Testud (Fra, 4) bt T Tanasugarn (Tha, 6) 6-2 6-0
V Williams (US 1) bt A Myskina (Rus) 6-0 3-6 6-4

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