Top-seeded Dementieva advances to semifinals as Cibulkova retires due to injury

Charleston 2009

Top-seeded Elena Dementieva's quarterfinal Family Circle Cup victory Friday over Dominika Cibulkova was short and sweet.

Dementieva, ranked No. 3 in the world, won a hard-fought first set, then after cruising in the first game of the second set, walked off the court a 6-4, 1-0 winner when Cibulkova retired because of an injured left thigh.

Cibulkova, the tournament's No. 7 seed, had started the match with her left thigh heavily taped, and ducked out of the stadium between sets to have the thigh rewrapped.

But it was quickly apparent she could not continue.

"I just feel sorry she couldn't finish the match," Dementieva said. "We've played a couple of times before and it was always very interesting, a very tough match, so hopefully next time we finish."

This marks the third straight time Dementieva has advanced to the semifinals in the Family Circle Cup. Dementieva will face 18-year-old

Caroline Wozniacki. The two have met three times previously, with Dementieva owning a 2-1 advantage. But Wozniacki won the most recent meeting this year in Miami.

Dementieva said she needed to practice after her win over Cibulkova because there were some things she did not like.

"I was not aggressive enough and didn't take the opportunity going to the net," Dementieva said. "That's something I want to be focused on for my next match. I think I can be more aggressive. I didn't put enough pressure on (Cibulkova's) serve. That's the thing I want to improve for the next round and that's what I'm focusing on right now. I'm just glad to be in the semifinal."