MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Italy (AP): Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has hinted at a possible exhibition competition with seven-time motorcycling world champion Valentino Rossi.

Speaking at Ferrari's annual winter retreat in the Italian Dolomites, which also features Rossi's Ducati squad, Alonso said something is in the works for December, adding that the duel will likely be held in both "two- and four-wheel" vehicles.

Rossi has completed informal tests with Ferrari over the past several years, and he also races rally cars occasionally. He is the most popular athlete in Italy, beating even the country's multitude of football stars.

Alonso says, "Valentino is loved all over the world, which is something very special - like another title."

HOBART, Australia (AP): Jarmila Groth of Australia will play her doubles partner Klara Zakopalova for a place in the Hobart International final.

Groth comfortably defeated Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-1, 6-2 in the quarterfinals Thursday, while her Czech doubles partner Zakopalova beat top-seeded Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-2.

The other semi-final will be between American Bethanie Mattek-Sands and China's Peng Shuai, who both played two matches on Thursday to make up for lost time due to rain delays.

Mattek-Sands first ousted Ayumi Morita of Japan 6-3, 6-1 before overcoming Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-4, 6-4.

Peng completed a 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Olga Govortsova of Belarus before beating Sara Errani of Italy, 6-1, 6-3.