Dokic into Unicef semis

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Australian Jelena Dokic has continued her fine run up to Wimbledon, making the semi-finals of the Unicef Open grasscourt event in the Netherlands on Friday.

The 28-year-old, a semi-finalist at the All England Club more than a decade ago, overcame Sweden's Johanna Larsson in straight sets, 7-6, 6-4, to reach the last four at the grass-court tournament.

Dokic was pushed hard by the world no.79 - she saw seven aces go past and could muster only one in reply.

But she saved three of the four break-point opportunities she conceded in the match, while breaking her opponent twice.

Dokic now has a great opportunity to win her second singles title of the year after the withdrawal of the top seed, Kim Clijsters, with an ankle injury, opened up her side of the draw.

The Australian will now play Italian qualifier Romina Oprandi for a place in the final after she beat Kimiko Date-Krumm in straight sets.

Oprandi, ranked 82nd in the world, ousted top seed Kim Clijsters to reach the quarters and she continued her strong showing with a 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 victory over 40-year-old Japanese Date-Krumm.

In the other half of the draw, Italian Roberta Vinci ousted third seed Yanina Wickmayer 6-4 6-4.

Vinci, seeded seventh, faced nine breaks in the match, but lost her serve only twice and broke the higher ranked Belgian four times.

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