Aug 15, 2008, 14:45 GMT
Beijing - Dinara Safina won her 14th match in a row reaching the Beijing Olympic semi-finals 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 over Jelena Jankovic on Friday. The Russian's victory will also knock the Serb from her newly acquired number one ranking.
Safina, sixth on the WTA, has been on a tear this summer, her last loss coming in the Wimbledon third round. In the interim she has won hard court titles at Stanford and Montreal.
Jankovic saved a match point before falling to the loss.
Safin will next pit herself against the pride of China as she takes on Li Na for a place in the final. The 42nd-ranked Chinese has won both of their previous meetings, the last at the Australian Open in 2007.
James Blake fired a verbal serve over sportsmanship at double Athens gold medallist Fernando Gonzalez before exiting their semi- final 4-6, 7-5, 11-9.
The American, known for patchy form, was unable to follow up on his sensational upset of Roger Federer the day before, losing to the Chilean in a bad-tempered struggle.
Blake is noted as best behaved on court, but the number seven did not spare his temper in defeat.
Blake accused Gonzalez of not admitting that a return from the American touched his racket before landing out on a late point in the three-hour drama which went to the South American from referee Carlos Berardo.
'It's a disappointing way to exit the tournament,' complained Blake, 28. 'Not only do you lose the match, you lose a little faith in your fellow competitor.
'The Olympic is considered a gentleman's sport, that's a time to call it on yourself,' said Blake, who failed to convert on three match points.
'We know when it touches us, he knew that. That's where it comes into calling it on yourself. Should I expect him to do that? Maybe not.'
Gonzalez said he was so tired that he didn't know if the ball touched his racket of not.
In doubles, Federer and teammate Stan Wawrinka, seeded fourth, gained a victory into the semi-finals and a showdown with the number one Bryan brothers after defeating Indians Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes 6-2, 6-4.
Federer, while disappointed in his singles loss to Blake, is fighting for pride as he aims for a medal.
Your Talkback on this Story