Vidya, Amee in Australian Open snooker semis

India's Vidya Pillai and Amee Kamani advanced to the semi-finals of the Australian Open women's snooker tournament here Saturday along with two local challengers Jennifer Budd and Jessica Woods.

Pillai, the 2010 champion, defeated Kathy Howden 3-0 while Kamani accounted for fellow-Indian Suniti Damani 3-0 in the quarter-finals.

Earlier, in the pre-quarter-finals, Kamani defeated Carlie Tait 2-0, Damani overcame Theresa Whitten 2-1 and Pillai, who made the tournament's highest break so far of 58, eased past Lyndal Ellement 2-0.

Both Pillai and Kamani topped their respective groups winning all their five matches, while Damani was second in her group, winning three.