Former champion Paradorn Srichaphan [Images] of Thailand overwhelmed Belgian Kristof Vliegen in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 to move into the semifinals of the ATP Chennai Open on Friday.
In another quarter-final on the outside court, former champion Michael Tabara of Czech Republic bit the dust at the hands of Spaniard Guillermo Garcia Lopez 6-4, 6-4.
Tabara broke Lopez in the third game but lost serve in the eighth and tenth games to lose the first set.
In the second set, Tabara seemed to get back his fluency but soon lost focus. Lopez, who saved two break points to hold on to the ninth game, broke Tabara in the tenth to win the match.
Tabara's agony began with a disputed line call which went against him in the eighth game of the first set when Lopez broke back to level the score at 4-4.
 | Also Read | | |
|
He never regained his composure and concentration as similar instances continued to bother him on atleast three more occasions and each time Moroccan Chair Umpire Mohammed-el-Jennati's ruling went against him.In the end, the Czech player gave vent to his disappointment over the line calls to Lopez, before going ahead with the customary handshake.
World No. 27 Srichaphan was on song at the centre court as he overwhelmed the Belgian.
The Thai superstar merely kept the ball in play, though Vliegen, who scored a remarkable come-from-behind upset win over sixth seed Ten Hsun Lu of Taipei on Thursday, constantly attacked his rival's backhand and repeatedly came up with probing deep returns.
But Srichaphan got to almost every shot offered by the Belgian who invariably tried to rush to the net. Most often on such occasions, Srichaphan volleyed for points.
The Thai needed just about two games to study his rival, as he ran to a 3-0 lead finding a service break in the second game.
The only other highlight of the match was the Belgian saving two break points before losing his first game in the second set.
Srichaphan now awaits the winner of the quarterfinal between Thomas Zib and Justine Gimelstob.
© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
|
Advertisement
Email this Article 
Print this Article