Lindsay Davenport is out of the Tour Championships despite battling past Serena Williams in three sets. Ana Myskina defeated fellow Russian Elena Dementieva 6-3 6-3 to ensure she and Williams advance to the last four.
France's Amelie Mauresmo defeated Maria Sharapova 7-5 6-4 to stay on target for the year-end world number one spot.
Mauresmo's win means she was undefeated in round-robin play and she will advance to the semi-finals along with Wimbledon champion Sharapova.
"She has so much experience and knows what to do more at points," said Sharapova.
 | SEMI-FINALS (2000 GMT) Mauresmo v Williams Sharapova v Myskina |
"She moves very well, makes me play a lot of balls and has a great slice. She's not number one for nothing." Mauresmo, who actually needs to win the tournament to take over the number one spot from Davenport, felt she was not at her best against Sharapova.
"I think it was hard for us to be 100% focused because we had both qualified for the semis," said Mauresmo.
"It was up and down from both of us."
Despite missing out on a place in the semi-finals, Davenport said she considers the year to have been a success.
|  It's cool that you can lose and still play |
"No matter what happens, reaching number one was a huge accomplishment at 28," said the American. "It was a year that I could not have imagined I would have enjoyed.
"If Amelie is able to win this tournament and the two before (Linz and Philadelphia), she definitely deserves it."
The semi-finals pitch Myskina against Sharapova, and Mauresmo against Williams.
"Tomorrow is a pretty tough match for me," Myskina said. "Maria has played really well here."
Williams has not been at her best in Los Angeles but was happy to reach the last four after a defeat.
"It's cool that you can lose and still play," said Williams. "I feel like I'm cheating that I am still in the tournament."
MMIX
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