Simple Simon storms into semis

Asked if he was matching Enqvist ace for ace, the Swede qualifier said with a humble laugh, 8220;I am not comparing myself with Enqvist. But I am feeling good after beating higher-ranked players.8221;

Aspelin admits having lost to Enqvist several times when they were juniors in the Swedish circuit. 8220;I have never won against him. He was pretty unbeatable in those days.8221;

The American ranked 285 was a sore loser, and after the match, chose to curse the host country for its hospitality. F you, India, Russell shouted on court, drawing a fine of 100.

Twice during the match, Aspelin was certain he was on a boat witha hole 8212; down 1-4 in the decider, and down 0-4 in the tie-break. 8220;He was gaining momentum and I thought inside, He8217;s going to win.8217; But suddenly I was serving better and was playing very well.8221;

Aspelin now feels he can reach the summit. He received some help from semi-final opponent Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand. The Asian Games doubles gold winner pushed out Israel8217;s Amir Hadad, who had stopped Aspelin in the second round at Ahmedabad last week. Hadad, who had notched a double in the Chandigarh leg, lost 6-7 4-7 6-2 2-6 in one hour 48 minutes.

Indian pair Ghouse-Uppal in semis :

Mustafa Ghouse and Vishal Uppal earned India a doubles semi-final berth when they defeated Mike Russell and Markus Hilpert 4-6 6-4 6-3.

The Indian pair lost the first set when Ghouse served two double faults in the tenth game. It was the bandana-clad Uppal8217;s brilliant volleying that gave the Indian pair the edge in the second and third. Uppal, whose lobs had earlier been lip-smacking put-aways for theopponents, persisted with that shot, and reaped richly when one landed perfectly on the far baseline to effect a break of Hilpert8217;s serve in the third set.

Harsh Mankad and Nitin Kirtane also advanced to the semi-final, after they received their second successive walkover.

Results all QF

Men singles: Simon Aspelin Swed bt Mike Russell US 3-6 7-5 7-6 7-4; Srichaphan Paradorn Thai bt Amir Hadad Isr 7-6 7-4 2-6 6-2; Michel Kratochvil Sui bt Cedric Kauffmann Fra 6-0 7-5; Artem Derepasko Rus bt Filip Kaskak Svk 6-3 6-4.

Men doubles: Nitin Kirtane amp; Harsh Mankad Ind bt Jocelyn Robechad amp; Simon Larose Can 4-0 retd; Mustafa Ghouse amp; Vishal Uppal Ind bt Markus Hilpert amp; Mike Russell 4-6 6-4 6-3; Ivo Karlovic amp; Michael Kogan bt Jonatthtan Erlich amp; Amir Hadad Isr 6-3 6-4.