Rome, May 09: Two-time grand slam winner Yevgeny Kafelnikov clinched a place in the semi-finals of the Rome Masters Series here today after defeating giant Dutchman Martin Verkerk 6-3, 7-5. Unseeded Kafelnikov, who beat Spanish number three seed Carlos Moya on Thursday to reach the last eight, looked a little jaded, but still proved too strong for Verkerk at the Foro Italico Clay Court event. Verkerk had a chance to haul himself back into the match at 6-5 in the second set, but he spurned a break point and Kafelnikov held serve to send the lanky 24-year-old packing.
Kafelnikov said he hoped his many years on the ATP tour would serve him well as he seeks to win his first masters series singles title. Kafelnikov struggled on clay last year with a 4-12 record, but the 29-year-old Russian is now 10-5 on the surface this season and 20-13 on the year.
Forced to retire from last week's Munich semi-final against Jarkko Nieminen because of a neck injury, Kafelnikov will now face the winner of the match between Ivan Ljubicic and Felix Mantilla in the last four. Bureau Report