Mauresmo has revenge over Safina

Top seed Amelie Mauresmo humbled defending champion Dinara Safina 6-2, 6-2 to reach the semi-finals of the Paris Open on Friday.

The Frenchwoman, returning to action after winning her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open last month, took full revenge on the Russian teenager who defeated her in last year's final.

The world number two broke serve twice in the first set and early in the second against a clearly nervous Safina, who made a string of errors from the baseline.

"It was a tough match but I was well physically," said Mauresmo. I think that she (Safina) was a bit tired by the end of the first set.

"I read her game easily and it helped me to a comfortable win.

Mary Pierce, seeded two, had to overcome a strong challenge from fellow Frenchwoman Emilie Loit to reach the semis.

The 31-year-old Pierce, struggling for her best form since she reached the final of the Masters in November, prevailed 7-6, 7-6.

"I'm happy to be in the semis here in Paris," said Pierce. "I played pretty well today and I hope I'll be able to repeat the same kind of performance."

Pierce, winner of the event in 1998, can expect another tough match on Saturday against Patty Schnyder. The Swiss defeated Russia's Elena Dementieva 6-3, 6-3.

France's Tatiana Golovin also reached the last four, saving a match point to claim the scalp of third-seed Nadia Petrova 3-6, 7-6, 6-3 in a battle lasting nearly two and a half hours.

"I can hardly believe that I won this match," Golovin said. "I was too slow in the first set but now it's like I'm back at my best."

Golovin will have the opportunity to test her herself again when she tackles Mauresmo in an all-French tie on Saturday.