Ivanovic reaches Birmingham semifinal

BIRMINGHAM - Serbia's Ana Ivanovic reached the semifinal of the WTA tournament in Birmingham beating Czech Klara Koukalova in straight sets 6-1, 6-4 on Friday.

Top seed Ivanovic will next take on China's Shuai Zhang, who outlasted Sloane Stephens of the U.S. 6-3, 6-1.

The Serbian player leads the head-to-head with 1-0 after a 6-1, 6-1 victory in Toronto three years ago.

Ana Ivanovic sailed through to the quarterfinals of the WTA tournament in Birmingham, after beating American Lauren Davis in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 on Thursday.

Top seed Ivanovic proved worthy of the role of favorite after defeating the young U.S. player, for the second time this season, in just 67 minutes.

The total prize fund for the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, England, is USD 710,000.

AP Photo/David Davies,PA