|
Haas beats Malisse 6-4, 6-3 in Memphis
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-19 10:33 Tommy Haas's sore back calmed
down Friday, and he responded by beating eighth-seeded Xavier Malisse of Belgium
6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships.
A muscle in Haas' lower left side flared up last week in San Jose, Calif.,
and the German has played his last few matches wearing a brace for support. But
with constant attention from his physical therapist, Haas' back loosened up
enough that he was able to put some strength into his serve.
The second-seeded Haas needed only 64 minutes to advance to the semifinals
for a second straight week, where he will play eighth-seeded Max Mirnyi, a 7-6
(1), 7-6 (1) winner over Antony Dupuis of France.
"The last thing I want is having to worry about injuries right now," Haas
said. "I've dealt with that a very long time. I'm trying to keep my body
healthy. That's the most important thing."
Top-seeded Andy Roddick, who won here in 2002, was scheduled to play Robby
Ginepri on Friday night at The Racquet Club. The winner will play Kenneth
Carlsen of Sweden who beat Jan-Michael Gambill 7-6 (7), 7-5 after saving three
break points.
In women's play, No. 3 seed Meghann Shaughnessy barely held off 15-year-old
Nicole Vaidisova 7-6 (8), 7-6 (6) as the seventh-seeded Russian fought off five
match points in the second set before losing. Shaughnessy will play either
top-seeded Vera Zvonareva or No. 8 seed Evgenia Linetskaya in Saturday's
championship of the Cellular South Cup.
Haas and Malisse are friends and former competitors at the Bollettieri Tennis
Academy. But it's Haas who has dominated their professional matches, taking
eight of 10 and the last four since a second-round loss at Wimbledon last
summer.
On Friday, Haas double-faulted twice yet still frustrated Malisse with his
service game. Haas had only four aces, but lost only two points of serve in the
first set. He also was very patient with his second serve, converting 16 of 20
into points in the match.
He won the first set by breaking Malisse's serve at 15-40. Haas quickly took
control of the second set by breaking Malisse in the second game for a 2-0 lead
and cruised to the victory.
"I feel like I can finally pick up the speed again on my serve without
feeling any problems, and I think especially against someone like Xavier who
stands back pretty far ... it's important to get a few free points, and I think
it worked good today," Haas said.
Mirnyi reached his third semifinal this year, using his serve very
effectively with 18 aces and scoring off 90 percent of his first serves. Dupuis
had four chances to break Mirnyi's serve and couldn't do it.
"I felt like I was serving comfortably and following it up with other things
whether a volley or ground stroke winner. I felt he had to win his service
points 100 percent and (that) certainly built the pressure," Mirnyi said.
|
 | | | Pistons beat 76ers 93-75 | | |  | | | Football For Hope | | |  | | | Roddick vs Enqvist | | |
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top Sports
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
