LUXEMBOURG : Yanina Wickmayer kept Belgian hopes alive at the WTA tournament here on Friday as the world number 20 defeated compatriot Kirsten Flipkens 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-1 to reach the semi-finals.

Wickmayer, who had seen countrywoman, and US Open winner Kim Clijsters knocked out by Patty Schnyder in the second round late Thursday, will tackle Switzerland's Timea Bacsinzsky for a palace in the final.

Bacsinzsky defeated Slovenia's Katerina Srebotnik 6-7 (3/7), 6-1, 6-4.

Saturday's other semi-final will see Germany's Sabine Lisicki, the sixth seed, face Shahar Peer of Israel.

Peer put out Slovakian fourth seed Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) while Lisicki saw off Schnyder 6-4, 6-2.

- AFP /ls