Mauresmo falls in Dubai quarters
Mauresmo has been struggling for form over the last year
The Russian saw off the former world number one 6-1 7-6 (7-4) and faces fourth seed Jelena Jankovic next.
Mauresmo has not been past the quarter-finals of any event since Eastbourne last June and has talked of possible retirement in recent weeks.
“I started to play better in the second set and there were times when I played some good tennis,” she said.
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“There were still probably a few things here and there which cost me that second set, and I didn’t play the tie-break as I expected, but she came up with some good shots when she needed them.”
Jankovic, celebrating her 23rd birthday, had an easy passage into the semis when Anna Chakvetadze retired with an injury after losing the first set, 6-1.
Thursday’s remaining quarter-finals see Ana Ivanovic take on Elena Dementieva and top seed Justine Henin play Francesca Schiavone.