Ana Ivanovic beats Mirjana Lucic to claim semi-final spot

The second-seeded Serbian was rarely troubled as she claimed a 6-3, 6-3 victory over her Croatian opponent.

Ivanovic will now face Daniela Hantuchova in today's semi-finals. Slovakian Hantuchova, seeded fourth in Birmingham, was another convincing winner in her last-eight encounter, overcoming Alison Riske of the United States 6-2, 6-4.

Third seed Shuai Peng will take on Sabine Lisicki in the other semi-final.

Peng of China ground out a 6-4 4-6 6-3 win over Marina Erakovic, while German Lisicki was a 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 victor against Magdalena Rybarikova.