AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Anna Kournikova advanced Thursday to the semifinals of the ASB Bank Classic, rallying to beat Switzerland's Emmanuelle Gagliardi 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 in searing heat.<br>
<br>
Kournikova, the popular Russian seeking her first WTA Tour title, won five straight games to overcome a 4-1 deficit in the second set.<br>
<br>
"I was playing on will," Kournikova said. "She was playing great and I was just fighting. That's my game - I fight for every point. I was very tired at the end, but I'm all right now. I just shouldn't have made it so difficult for myself.<br>
<br>
"I made too many unforced errors in the first set and I was fighting, trying to find my game. I haven't played many hard matches since February last year, so I need this match."<br>
<br>
Kournikova, ranked 74th in the world, will face Israel's Anna Smashnova in the semifinals. Smashnova beat Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-2, 6-2.<br>
<br>
"She's very tough and I'll have to play my best tennis to beat her," Kournikova said of Smashnova.<br>
<br>
Croatia's Silvija Talaja also advanced to the semifinals, beating Bulgaria's Tatiana Poutchek 6-4, 7-5. <br>
<br>
