HANTUCHOVA TURNS GOOD LUCK INTO WIN UPSETS THIRD-SEEDED DEMENTIEVA IN SEMIFINALS.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

CARSON - Daniela Hantuchova was the recipient of a gift Friday. Maria Sharapova pulled out of their quarterfinal match at the JPMorgan Chase Open with an injury, giving the Slovakian standout a free pass to the semifinals.

On Saturday, Hantuchova proved on the court that she belonged.

Moving from sideline to sideline better than perhaps she ever has, Hantuchova upset third-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia 6-3, 6-4 at Home Depot Center.

``It's probably one of the best matches I've played against a top player ...,'' said Hantuchova, seeded ninth. ``I tried to go for shots and be aggressive but at the same time be smarter. I'm just really, really happy to get this one.''

She advances to the fourth WTA tour final of her career and first in more than a year today at 2 p.m. against Kim Clijsters of Belgium. Clijsters was a 6-2, 6-4 winner over Francesca Schiavone of Italy in the night match.

Dementieva was playing some of the best tennis in the tournament entering the match. She hadn't lost a set and needed just 49 minutes to win her quarterfinal match.

She also had dominated Hantuchova in the past, holding a 6-2 edge, most recently beating her in the third round at this year's Australian Open.

But Hantuchova, who sometimes has trouble getting her lengthy 6-foot frame around the court, worked Dementieva from side to side and pumped her first with each of her 20 winners.

``She moved around well, and I was playing defensive a lot of the time, which is what I don't want to do,'' Dementieva said. ``I think this is the best match she's played against me.''

Hantuchova won all 10 service games and lost only five service points in the match.

In the fifth game of the second set, she battled through six deuces to break Dementieva on her fourth opportunity with a crosscourt forehand winner.

Dementieva had a chance to break back in the eighth game, only her second break point of the match, but hit a forehand into the net. Hantuchova won the match when Dementieva returned serve with a backhand that went long.

Hantuchova said she has been working hard with new trainer Mark Wellington to improve her speed around the court.

``It makes such a difference to know that you don't have to go for a winner, because you'll be able to get to that extra shot and get it back,'' Hantuchova said.

Hantuchova's lone tournament title came at Indian Wells in 2002. She was ranked as high as fifth in the world in 2003 but currently is at No. 22.

``She had a great serve and a very solid game,'' Dementieva said. ``All she needs is to move like she did today and I think she can be in the top.''

Clijsters overcame an early break in the first set to roll off seven consecutive games on the way to victory. Clijsters missed last year's tournament with an injury but won here in 2003.

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com

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Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia advanced to the final of the JPMorgan Chase Open with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Elena Dementieva of Russia.

Harry How/Getty Images