This year’s edition of the Acura Classic has fallen under the supremacy of Russian players, no more than three being present in the semifinals on Saturday.

With top seeds Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva having a blast in San Diego against Sania Mirza and Maria Kirilenko, the quarter-finals surprise was made by another player from the ex-soviet country, young Anna Chakvetadze.

The 20-year-old pushed her much titled opponent Venus Williams to the bottom line and struck hard each ball to enjoy a 6- 7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 victory after two and a half hours.

Williams’ game didn’t work as she wanted, a whole bunch of unforced errors sent her morale plummeting and gave Chakvetadze the chance to confirm that she is indeed a rising star of the WTA Tour.

“This is one of the best wins of my career, to beat Venus in the USA is special,” an exulting Chakvetadze said.
Venus was very disappointed with her performance, but had the power to congratulate young Anna for her display of force and mental strength.

“She saved her best for San Diego,” the 10th seed said. “I'm very disappointed. I thought I had a great chance not to lose a match this summer, but I should have planned my schedule better. I'm feeling maxed out.”

Sharapova had an apparent tough challenge against India’s Sania Mirza, but the 20-year-old couldn’t keep up the pace with the tournament’s top seed and gave in after a little more than an hour, 6-2, 6-1.

“I had a good start and was able to play my game. The two keys were serve and return,” Sharapova said after the match.

“Sania is a solid player so it's good to get some matches like I've won this week behind my back.”

Sharapova will now face her compatriot Chakvetadze in a clash for a place in the final of San Diego’s classic with prize money of 1,340,000 dollars.

Another Russian, Dementieva gave no chance to Maria Kirilenko and trampled her young opponent 6-2, 6-4 to fight for a spot in Sunday’s final with Patty Schnyder.

The Swiss impressed the audience with her play and breezed past fourth-seed Nadia Petrova in just two sets, 6-4, 6-4.

”I made her run a lot and really got my game going well,” the 11th seed said. “I'm feeling great on the court. I just want to keep this up for the weekend.”