Ivanovic aiming to perform a lead role

Top seed Maria Sharapova could not handle the pressure and bowed out in the fourth round, transferring the expectation onto the shoulders of the world No2.

While Ivanovic's rival today has an arm injury which has seen her return to Belgrade during the tournament for treatment, last year's beaten finalist is taking nothing for granted.

"She's a tough opponent and she defends really well," said Ivanovic. "I need to step in, be aggressive and play my game. Every match is a new match, a new experience, and I just have to keep playing like I played so far."

While Serbia dominates this semi-final, the other match is an all-Russian affair, with No4 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova up against Dinara Safina, who has been branded the "Comeback Queen" of Roland Garros.

In her last two matches, Safina has fought back from a set down to knock out Sharapova and seventh seed Elena Dementieva, who she saved match point against. She said: "Something was missing before in my game - either this was physical or it was mental. It was just a matter of putting everything together."

Safina's new-found resilience is not lost on Kuznetsova, who said: "She has too many lives, so I have to be careful with her."

Jamie Murray and mixed doubles partner Liezel Huber, of America, lost their quarter-final 6-0, 7-6 to third seeds Bob Bryan and Victoria Azarenka. Britain's Dan Evans and Daniel Smethurst reached the boy's doubles quarter finals, beating Mirza Basic and Marin Draganja 6-3, 6-2.