V. Williams, Pliskova into last four at Zhuhai

American veteran Venus Williams and rising star Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic reached last four at the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai on Thursday.

   Williams battled back from one set down to defeat Chinese No. 1 Zheng Saisai 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. The American had to dig deep after Zheng, a wildcard into the draw, put on a dazzling display of aggressive tennis to take the first set. 

   The Chinese stormed out to a 5-1 lead with some impressive shotmaking, allowing Williams to catch up to 5-4 before finally closing the opening set out after 44 minutes.

   But from there it was all Williams -- the No. 1-seeded American dropped just two more games the rest of the way, needing just an hour and 18 minutes to win the next two sets for the victory.

   "You could see that she played amazing and she really is a future champion," Williams said of Zheng.

   "First set, wow, she played so well until the last point. She definitely deserved to get the wildcard into this tournament -- she has a lot of talent and there are definitely great things for her in the future."

   With a perfect 2-0 record in the round robin, Williams has won Group A and is now in the semifinals.

   Pliskova also compiled a 2-0 record from Group C as she dispatched Italian veteran Sara Errani 6-0, 6-3.

   "I'm really happy that I won the group because when we did the draw, I was a little bit nervous because both players are really tough and had great years," Pliskova said. 

   Russian player Svetlana Kuznetsova maintained her slim hopes of reaching the semifinals after Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark retired from their round robin Group D match while trailing 7-5, 2-2.

   Kuznetsova will now hope the Dane's replacement in the tournament, Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova, can do her a favor against Roberta Vinci in the group's final match. Endi