Fernandez advances to semi-finals

Clarisa Fernandez defeated Paola Suarez 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 at the French Open today to win the battle of the Argentines and …

Clarisa Fernandez defeated Paola Suarez 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 at the French Open today to win the battle of the Argentines and become the first unseeded semi-finalist in 12 years.

Fernandez, making her debut at Roland Garros, goes on to meet an American, either number two seed Venus Williams or sixth seed Monica Seles, as she bids to become the first Argentine to reach the final.

The 20-year-old Fernandez had ousted fourth seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium and Russian Elena Dementieva, seeded 13th, en route to the last eight.