Kuznetsova upsets Venus in Dubai
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Williams has won just four matches in three tournaments this year.
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Reuters) -- Venus Williams' disappointing start to the year continued when she suffered a 6-2 6-3 defeat by Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Open.
World number one Justine Henin-Hardenne took just 48 minutes to sweep aside an ailing Conchita Martinez 6-1 6-0.
She will play Meghan Shaughnessy in the semifinals after the American beat fourth seed Anastasia Myskina of Russia 7-6 4-6 6-3.
Kuznetsova will meet Japan's Ai Sugiyama, who beat Greece's Eleni Daniilidou 6-1 6-3, in the other semifinal.
Second seed Williams was absent from the tour after Wimbledon because of injury and has struggled since returning at the Australian Open.
She lost there to compatriot Lisa Raymond in the third round, and then won just one match in Tokyo before defaulting her quarterfinal because of a knee injury.
"It's very difficult to play an event of this caliber against players who have trained and been out there practicing," said Williams.
"After Tokyo I just hit for a couple of hours in London, and here about an hour each day, and it's not enough to be ready. But I know that I'll be okay, I'm really in good spirits."
Kuznetsova, 18, used a big forehand, solid serve and strong groundstrokes to keep the American under pressure, and after dropping her serve in the opening game looked the more solid player.
Williams showed a few glimpses of her ferocious groundstrokes, notably when she held serve to love after falling behind a set and 3-0.
The American briefly threatened a comeback, pulling back to 2-3, but further breaks of serve left Kuznetsova serving for the biggest victory of her young career.
"I played great today. I was relaxed and tried to play my game," she said.
"She's not at the top of her level now, but when you play against these top players you still have to play so good to beat them," said Kuznetsova, who trains at the Emilio Sanchez academy in Spain.
Miami peak
Williams has won just four matches in three tournaments this year. She expects to be back to her peak when she plays at the Nasdaq Open in Miami starting on March 22.
"She played well, and I just feel like now is the time if you want to get me, you should. By the time I get to Nasdaq that time will be over." Henin-Hardenne found little resistance from Martinez, who was suffering from a neck strain.
The eighth-seeded Spaniard looked lethargic and was slow to go for the wide ball, and at the end of the first set received lengthy treatment. It proved to be ineffective and she barely competed in the second set.
"It's never easy to play against somebody who is injured and is not moving that well," said Henin-Hardenne, "and Conchita is always a problem for a lot of players.
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