Qualifier packs-off Courier

In the semifinals, Mirnyi faces eighth seed Magnus Norman of Sweden, who posted a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Romanian qualifier Gabriel Trifu.

The other semifinal pits seventh seed Christian Ruud of Norway against Argentine Guillermo Canas. Ruud held off upset-minded Argentine Hernan Gumy 7-6 (12-10), 6-4.

Sanchez advances

CAIRO: Top seed Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain qualified easily for semi-finals of the Egypt Classic, beating Jelena Kokic of Australia 6-3, 6-1.

Sanchez will face unseeded and injured Emmanuelle Gagliardi of Switzerland in thesemi-finals.

Second-seeded Mary Pierce of France was defeated by Irina Spirlea, ranked fifth, from Romania 6-4, 6-2. The only quarter-final match with no seeded players saw Gigliardi defeat Laurence Courtois of Belgium 6-3, 6-2.

Asagoe to the rescue

HAMBURG: Shinobu Asagoe kept Japan in Fed Cup contention by beating German Elena Wagner 7-6, 6-1 to level their World Group II first round tie at 1-1 after today’s opening singles.

Asagoe stepped in after Japan number one Ai Sugiyama twisted her ankle in training.

Earlier, Andrea Glass defeated Miho Saeki 6-3, 6-4 to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Brett Steven retires

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s top-ranked men’s tennis player Brett Steven announced today his retirement after 12 years on the pro circuit.

The 126th ranked Steven, 29, said a recurring foot injury, a subsequent slide in his ranking and a need to spend more time with his family saw him take the decision.