Vinci packs off erratic Stosur

Samantha Stosur’s season of woe continued at the Dubai Championships when she crashed out in the quarterfinals following a 6-2, 6-4 defeat by Italian Roberta Vinci on Thursday.

The Australian has lost more matches than she has won this year, with her win-loss record standing at 5-7, after she produced an error-strewn performance under the searing desert sun that left her frequently yelling in frustration.

Vinci, 30, broke in the opening game and was always in control against a player who has failed to win a title since triumphing at the US Open in September 2011.

The Italian has now beaten top-10 ranked players in successive matches -- she defeated Angelique Kerber on Wednesday -- and has yet to drop a set in Dubai.

World number nine Stosur towered over the diminutive Vinci, but she was guilty of trying to be too aggressive, clubbing a succession of backhand returns into the net.

Vinci, part of world No 1 doubles pairing along with compatriot Sara Errani, is a percentage player, relying more on her opponent’s mistakes than going for winners herself and Stosur’s approach played into the Italian’s hands.

Vinci will now play doubles partner Sara Errani in an all-Italian semifinal after her compatriot beat Russia's Nadia Petrova 6-4, 0-6, 6-3.

In Friday's remaining quarterfinals, former world number one Caroline Wozniacki faces France's Marion Bartoli and 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova plays Agnieszka Radwanska.