China's rising star Peng Shuai failed to advance at the Acura Classic WTA tournament in San Diego after losing to Mary Pierce in two sets in the semis.

19-year-old Peng, who upset seventh-seeded Kim Clijsters, was a step slow in Saturday's match.

She was unable to impose her baseline game or convert any of the eight break point opportunities, and lost the match 6-2, 6-2.

French Pierce will now face the winner of the second semifinal between competing Japanese Ai Sugiyama and Akiko Morigami.

(CRI August 8, 2005)