Kournikova wilts in Acapulco

Kournikova picked up a neck injury early in the match

Latest results from the Mexican Open

Anna Kournikova's wait for a first WTA Tour title goes on after she was knocked out of the Abierto Mexicano Pegaso tournament by Slovenia's Katarina Srebotnik.

The Russian made a strong start to her semi-final match in Acapulco on Friday but eventually slipped to a 5-7 6-3 6-1 defeat.

Kournikova broke Srebotnik's serve in the first game but twisted her neck in the second as she attempted a return at the net.

I had a sharp shooting pain and I couldn't move

Anna Kournikova

She appeared to be affected by the injury and was visibly fatigued in the final set as the match entered its third hour.

Unseeded Srebotnik played solidly, using a deceptive backhand spin to throw Kournikova off-balance.

The Russian cursed and threw her racket to the court as she produced eight double faults in the third set - including one on match point.

Srebotnik now faces seventh-seeded Paola Suarez in Saturday's final.

The Argentine beat top seed Elena Dementieva 7-5 6-3.

Chela came through a tense quarter-final

"I had a sharp shooting pain and I couldn't move," said Kournikova on her injury.

"I thought about it and it felt worse. It was a pretty stupid little thing, and it cost me the match, probably."

The Russian added: "I'm disappointed, obviously, and frustrated I couldn't give it my 100 percent," Kournikova said.

Srebotnik said: "I didn't expect to play in the finals. I think I deserved it and really played well today (Friday). I'm really looking forward to tomorrow (Saturday)."

In the men's quarter-finals, fifth-seed Carlos Moya came through a close encounter against fellow Spaniard Fernando Vicente 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-1.

Juan Ignacio Chela also progessed, after a thrilling encounter with Francisco Clavet.

The Argentine was forced to come from behind aganist the gutsy Clavet to seal a memorable 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 7-6 (7-5) victory.

In the other two matches, Spain's Albert Montanes beat Mariano Zabaleta while Brazil's Fernando Meligeni defeated David Sanchez.

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Results from Friday's action at the Mexican Open

Women's singles semi-finals

Katarina Srebotnik (Slo) bt Anna Kournikova (Rus) 5-7 6-3 6-1
7-Paola Suarez (Arg) bt 1-Elena Dementieva (Rus) 7-5 6-3

Men's singles quarter-finals

Albert Montanes (Spa) bt Mariano Zabaleta (Arg) 6-4 4-6 6-3
5-Carlos Moya (Spa) bt Fernando Vicente (Spa) 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-1
Fernando Meligeni (Bra) bt David Sanchez (Spa) 6-3 7-6 (8-6)
Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg) bt Francisco Clavet (Spa) 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 7-6 (7-5)