NEW DELHI: Natasha Khan continued her good run and made the semifinals of the $10,000 ITF women's tennis tournament at the DLTA Complex here on Thursday.

The 19-year-old British girl, who traces her routes to Pakistan, started on the wrong foot, not winning a single point in the first three games, but recovered her composure in time to record a 6-4, 6-3 victory over her nemesis Wing-Yau Chan of Hong Kong.

Avenges defeat

It was a revenge victory for the tall Natasha as she had lost twice against Chan in Manila last year, though the Briton had to retire both times. The soft-stroking methods of Chan proved inadequate this time against the confident power play of Natasha who entered the third semifinal of her career at this level.

Quite surprisingly, the Briton had only four aces to speak for her serving prowess this day but spanked her forehand with relish. She will be challenged by Sandy Gumulya of Indonesia.

Gumulya has returned to the circuit after an injury lay-off and sports knee-straps on both legs. The Indonesian qualifier proved a tough nut to crack for the sixth-seeded Thassha Vitayaviroj of Thailand.

Ji-Young advances

The other two semifinal berths were grabbed by qualifier Ji-Young Kim of Korea and Ling Zhang of Hong Kong.

In doubles, Natasha's run was stopped in the semifinals, as her partner Claire Peterzan was down with an upset stomach.

The results:

Singles (quarterfinals): Natasha Khan (GBR) bt Wing-Yau Chan (Hkg) 6-4, 6-3; Sandy Gumulya (Ina) bt Thassha Vitayaviroj (Tha) 6-2, 6-4; Ji-Young Kim (Kor) bt Czarina-Mae Arevalo (Phi) 6-3, 6-1; Ling Zhang (Hkg) bt Nudnida Luangnam (Tha) 7-5, 6-1.

Doubles (semifinals): Sandy Gumulya (Ina) and Pichittra Thongdach (Tha) w/o Natasha Khan and Claire Peterzan (GBR); Jeong-A Cho and Ji-Young Kim (Kor) bt Tomoyo Takagishi (Jpn) and Thassha Vitayaviroj (Tha) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6).

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