Osaka, 16 October 2011 | AP

Top-seeded Samantha Stosur reached the Japan Open semifinals with a 6-2 6-3 victory over seventh-seeded Chanelle Scheepers on Saturday.

US Open champion Stosur hit six aces and saved all four break points she faced while converting three break points of her own against her South African opponent at the Utsubo Tennis Centre.

The sixth-ranked Australian next faces Jie Zheng who defeated Petra Cetkovska in a rain-delayed match.

Second-seeded Marion Bartoli of France also reached the semifinals after beating sixth-seeded Ayumi Morita of Japan 6-2 6-1.

Bartoli faces third-seeded Angelique Kerber after the German player beat defending champion Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-3 6-4.