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Carraz toils to make his first career ATP tour semi-final
Newport (Rhode Island), July 12: France`s Gregory Carraz has taken the long way to his first career ATP tour semi-final.
Newport (Rhode Island), July 12: France's Gregory Carraz has taken the long way to his first career ATP tour semi-final.
Carraz won his third straight three-set match yesterday, rallying to eliminate seventh-seeded American Justin Gimelstob 2-6 6-1 7-6 (7/3), at the rain-delayed 380,000-dollar Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.
Carraz, who never had won consecutive matches before this tournament, toppled a seeded player for the second time.
In the first round, he stunned no. 1 James Blake, another American. To reach the final, Carraz will have to defeat another seeded American.
Fourth seed Robby Ginepri cruised into his first semi-final this year with a 7-5 6-2 victory over Ivan Miranda of Peru.
Ginepri is the highest seeded player left in the field. He also reached the final four here last year, losing to eventual champion Taylor Dent.
Eighth-seeded Jurgen Melzer of Austria got past lucky loser Jeff Salzenstein of the United States 7-5 7-6 (9/7). It will be Melzer's second career semi-final, having also reached the penultimate round in Umag, Croatia last summer.
Salzenstein was not in the original field but replaced Dent, who was forced to withdraw before his first-round match due to a pinched nerve.
Melzer will face doubles specialist Bob Bryan, who advanced with Thursday's victory in straight sets over France's Cyril Saulnier. Bryan received a wild card berth into the tournament.
Bureau Report
Carraz won his third straight three-set match yesterday, rallying to eliminate seventh-seeded American Justin Gimelstob 2-6 6-1 7-6 (7/3), at the rain-delayed 380,000-dollar Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.
Carraz, who never had won consecutive matches before this tournament, toppled a seeded player for the second time.
In the first round, he stunned no. 1 James Blake, another American. To reach the final, Carraz will have to defeat another seeded American.
Fourth seed Robby Ginepri cruised into his first semi-final this year with a 7-5 6-2 victory over Ivan Miranda of Peru.
Ginepri is the highest seeded player left in the field. He also reached the final four here last year, losing to eventual champion Taylor Dent.
Eighth-seeded Jurgen Melzer of Austria got past lucky loser Jeff Salzenstein of the United States 7-5 7-6 (9/7). It will be Melzer's second career semi-final, having also reached the penultimate round in Umag, Croatia last summer.
Salzenstein was not in the original field but replaced Dent, who was forced to withdraw before his first-round match due to a pinched nerve.
Melzer will face doubles specialist Bob Bryan, who advanced with Thursday's victory in straight sets over France's Cyril Saulnier. Bryan received a wild card berth into the tournament.
Bureau Report