These are the matchups for the semi-finals:
1 Cmilyte, Viktorija (LTU) * Galliamova, Alisa (RUS)
2 Matveeva, Svetlana (RUS) * Xu, Yuhua (CHN)
In the round of 8, Galliamova, Alisa (RUS) defeated Khurtsidze, Nino (GEO) by the score of 2-0, Matveeva, Svetlana (RUS) defeated Sebag, Marie (FRA) 1.5-0.5, Xu, Yuhua (CHN) defeated Kovalevskaya, Ekaterina (RUS) 2.5-1.5 and Cmilyte, Viktorija (LTU) defeated Chiburdanidze, Maia (GEO) 3-1 after losing the first game.
That means that we WILL have a new Women’s World Knockout Chess Champion. I have to say the favorite now is Xu, Yuhua of China. She won the Women’s World Cup twice with the same format. Therefore, she is very experienced with this format.
I had Xu as one of my pre-tournament favorites. However, I could have never guessed the other 3 ladies with all the hooplas given to Kosteniuk, Stefanova and Koneru.
Who are your picks to be in the finals? 
Susan
I believe that none of the final 4 are GM. Xu is a WGM. I think the other 3 are IM.
My question is will the new champion automatically become a GM. basically no matter what. in other words no GM norms are needed or rating or other qualification.
My understanding is that this is true.
I think the 2 favoites will be Mrs Shirov, Viktorija Cmilyte and of course Yuhua Xu who does probably have the overall best shot.
I would like to see these 2 in the final match up. They are both playing very well and should make for some exciting chess.
Overall however, I would have liked to see Kostiniuk, Stefanova and Koneru still be in the running. but then I want everyone to win. no losers. all winners.
I pick Xu to win the whole thing.
I also pick Xu Yuhua. I have played against her once in a simultaneous.
I pick her not for her pure chess strength but her admirable character.
She was very friendly and even took the time to talk to me after I lost the game.
xu yuhua will win this…
the first set of games Monday were drawn.
IM Cmilyte(0.5) – IM Galliamova(0.5) 1/2
IM Matveeva(0.5) – WGM Xu_Yuhua(0.5) 1/2