David Nalbandian, Flavia Pennetta reach semifinals in Acapulco

ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) -Top seeds David Nalbandian and Flavia Pennetta advanced to the semifinals of the Mexican Open on Thursday.

Nalbandian, coming off a victory Sunday in Buenos Aires, beat eighth-seeded Potito Starace 6-3, 6-3, breaking the Italian three times and saving three break points.

On the women's side, Pennetta notched her 300th win on the WTA Tour, beating eighth-seeded Edina Gallovits of Romania 7-6 (4), 6-1.

Pennetta has reached the Acapulco final every year since 2004, and won in 2005. In the semifinals, she'll play No. 7 Kaia Kanepi of Estonia. Pennetta beat Kanep two weeks ago in the Vina del Mar quarterfinals en route to her fifth WTA title.

Kanepi edged Sorana Cirstea of Romania 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (6) despite 10 double faults.

Jill Craybas of the United States reached her second semifinal of the year, beating Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-1.