Tennis: Determined Peer claims semifinal berth

Israeli Shahar Peer waves to the crowd following her quarterfinal victory over Russian Maria Kirilenko. Photo / Getty Images

Israeli Shahar Peer has become the first player to book her place in the semi-finals of the ASB Classic in Auckland overcoming a dogged quarterfinal encounter with Maria Kirilenko.

For the third day in a row Peer didn't let her protesting entourage distract her work, dispatching the Russian Kirilenko 6-0 3-6 6-1 in just over an hour and 40 minutes of play.

Errors proved Kirilenko's downfall as Peer, the world No 30, won a topsy-turvy contest 6-0 3-6 6-1.

After an opening set that lasted just 23 minutes, the 62nd ranked Kirilenko lifted her game in the second while Peer's service suffered a wobble.

The opening two games of the final set proved the key period of the match.

Peer found herself down 0-40 on serve, but managed to hold, and then consolidated by breaking her opponent in the next game.

Belgian Yanina Wickmayer and Japan's Kamiko Date Krumm will battle it out in the follow up match with the winner joining Peer in tommorow's semifinal draw.

- NZ HERALD STAFF and NZPA