Querrey upsets Sela, second seed Fish pulls out

Loss Angeles: In-form American Sam Querrey, a runner-up in his last two ATP events, upset fourth-seeded Israeli Dudi Sela 6-3, 7-5 on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the LA Open.The big-serving sixth seed broke the agile Sela once in each set before wrapping up victory in 76 minutes on the stadium court at the sun-splashed LA Tennis Center.

Querrey, who had not previously faced Sela, will next meet either top-seeded German Tommy Haas or eighth seed Marat Safin of Russia who were playing later on Friday. "I served well out there and usually when I serve well I win most of the time," a smiling Querrey told reporters after dropping only two points on his first serve during the match. "I couldn`t be happier," he added, referring to a 2009 campaign featuring finals appearances in his last two events in Newport and Indianapolis.” "I would have liked to have won those two tournaments but I can`t complain about getting into the finals and so far so good here." World number 30 Sela said: "I thought we both played a good match. It`s tough to play against Querrey. If you lose one service game the set is pretty much over. It is very hard to break his serve." Earlier, little-known Australian qualifier Carsten Ball eased into his first ATP semi-final with a 6-4, 6-4 win against towering American John Isner. First Qualifier The 22-year-old left-hander, whose father and coach is former Australian professional Syd Ball, twice broke Isner to become the first qualifier to reach the last four in Los Angeles in a decade. Fellow Australian James Sekulov was the most recent player to accomplish the feat, doing so in 1999 before losing to Pete Sampras in the semi-finals. "Obviously I`ve played a couple of good matches," Ball told reporters. "I got some confidence in there, and I`ll just try to keep it going, just play within myself." Ball will next meet Argentina`s Leonardo Mayer, who gained a walkover into the last four when second-seeded American Mardy Fish pulled out on Friday because of an abdominal strain. Asked whether he knew Mayer, Ball replied: "Not really. I played juniors with him but I never got the chance to play him so I`m really looking forward to that tomorrow." Mayer was delighted to reach his first ATP semi-final. "I was ready to play today and expecting a tough match against Mardy, who is a great player," the 22-year-old said. "On the other hand I am obviously very happy to reach my first semi-final.” "I played a tough match yesterday and this day off will help me to be ready for tomorrow`s match against Carsten. I`ve known him since juniors and I know it will be a very tough match." Bureau Report