Flavia Pennetta marches into semi-finals

Flavia Pennetta has defeated Sloane Stephens by two sets to one to reach the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open.

Both players struggled against fierce winds throughout the match, which was close from start to finish, with the Italian edging the opening set before the local favourite forced a decider.

Pennetta took the the third set 6-4 to wrap up a 6-4 5-7 6-7 victory and become the first Italian woman ever to reach the last four of the tournament.

She will play top seed Li Na for a place in the final.