Dubai — Spaniard Garbine Muguruza reached the Dubai Championships semi-finals for the second time with a 7-5, 6-2 defeat of Caroline Garcia on Thursday, while Angelique Kerber set up a last-four clash with Elina Svitolina. Reigning Wimbledon champion Muguruza needed more than an hour to claim the opening set over the fifth-seeded Frenchwoman, who she beat from a set down last week in Doha. But the match went quickly compared to the second seed's epic the night before which ended at 2 a.m. local time. I was a little bit upset because, I had to play late and went to bed at 4 a.m. There's nothing to do about that, she said. Today I somehow fought with a little bit of the tiredness of yesterday. That's it. Muguruza caught fire in the second set, winning 13 points in a row en route to a 4-1 lead. The match was twice interrupted by rain, before the 24-year-old closed out the win as she broke Garcia for a third time in the set and then served it out. It was a very good match, especially the first set. I felt that whoever could win it, Muguruza said. I felt much better this match than the match we played in Doha. When you play a top-10 player, and you beat second time in a row, it gives you a good sign that what I'm doing is right. The two-time Grand Slam winner is seeking her first title since Cincinnati last August and next faces Daria Kasatkina, a winner over fellow Russian Elena Vesnina 7-6 (7/5), 6-1. Kerber sets up Svitolina clash Kerber and Svitolina will face off in the other semi-final after both raced to quick straight-sets wins. Holder and top seed Svitolina brushed aside Japan's Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4 while German sixth seed Kerber won a rematch of the 2016 US Open final, beating Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-3. Kerber, ranked ninth after a good start to the season, claimed her 15th win of the year, pulling her level for the most on the WTA circuit with world number one Caroline Wozniacki. I have much more confidence than when I started the year where I actually had no idea where I was, especially after last year, Kerber said. I have already so many matches under my belt, so that gives me much more match confidence. I'm going out there and just thinking about the next match, the next point -- nothing else. Svitolina ended a run of two straight losses to Osaka, ranked 48th and the first Japanese quarter-finalist at the event since 2004. I had a couple of tough matches against her. I had to be ready for her to come back, Svitolina said. I had to be ready for her to raise her level. World number four Svitolina took control of the opening set against Osaka with a 5-0 lead. After claiming the first set, Svitolina's level dropped, with Osaka breaking in the second game and taking a 4-1 advantage before being reeled in. Svitolina raced to victory with five consecutive games, closing out the win on a net cord. Definitely I'm happy the way I've been handling the pressure and tough moments, she said. I had two good matches. I cannot say it was amazing tennis, but when I needed to I was stepping up and playing well. —AFP