Ferrero stings Thai ace in flying start to 2003
Robert Smith, Agence France-Presse, Sydney, Australia
Juan Carlos Ferrero senses a big month in Australia could propel him towards the world No. 1 ranking as he closes in on the Sydney International title.
The Spanish world No. 4 is the only seed remaining into Friday's semifinals in the Australian Open leadup tournament following his victory over Thailand's Paradorn Scrichaphan and the injury withdrawal of top seed Marat Safin.
Safin, the world No.3, complained of an inflamed rotator cuff in his right serving shoulder and pulled out giving Korean Lee Hyung-taik a walkover into the semifinals.
Ferrero, playing only his third match of the year, surprised himself with the quality of his performance as he outplayed seventh-seeded Paradorn, 6-3, 6-1.
The 22-year-old Spaniard now has a match against German Rainer Schuettler, who defeated American Mardy Fish 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.
South African Wayne Ferreira disposed of Argentine Franco Squillari 6-0, 6-4 in the night quarterfinals and he will take on Lee in the semis.
Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters resume their friendly yet serious rivalry in a semifinal of the Sydney International after convincing victories in the women's quarterfinals on Thursday.
Henin reversed a 0-2 losing record with Amanda Coetzer to knock over the energetic South African, 6-4, 6-4, while Clijsters brushed aside American seventh seed Chanda Rubin, 6-1, 6-2.
Russian Tatiana Panova, who knocked top seed Jennifer Capriati out of the tournament on Tuesday, continued on her merry way on Thursday with a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win over Olga Barabanschikova of Belarus.
Unseeded Panova will play sixth-seeded American Lindsay Davenport in the semis after the former world No.1 fought back from break down in the final set to defeat Slovakian fourth seed Daniela Hantuchova 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) in just under two hours.
In Canberra, Australia, top surviving seed Meghann Shaughnessy will face Emelie Loit of France in the semifinals after a tight quarterfinals win at the Canberra WTA tournament here on Thursday.
The second seed American was distracted by a series of disputed line calls on her way to a 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 win over Spaniard Magui Serna.
Francesca Schiavone of Italy will meet French qualifier Marion Bartoli in Friday's other semifinals after downing compatriot Flavia Pennett 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
In Hobart, Australia, Australian Alicia Molik won her way into the Tasmanian International Women's tennis tournament final with a three-set win over Czech Iveta Benesova here on Thursday.
The 21-year-old will bid for her first WTA title on Friday when she meets American second seed Amy Frazier.
In Auckland, New Zealand, tournament favorite Jiri Novak survived a scare against lowly ranked Robby Ginepri as two more seeds crashed out at a rain-soaked New Zealand Open here Thursday.
Novak recovered to beat American qualifier Ginepri 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 to earn a quarterfinals meeting with Spain's Felix Mantilla.