CINCINNATI, 17 August 2003 — Andy Roddick continued his charge toward back-to-back Masters Series titles by sweeping aside Argentine Mariano Zabaleta 6-1 6-2 on Friday to reach the Cincinnati semifinals.
The American’s task was also made easier when sixth seed and in-form Guillermo Coria fell 6-2, 7-5 to the unseeded Max Mirnyi of Belarus, who is next in line for the seventh seed. Roddick captured his first Masters Series crown in Montreal last week, and his latest command performance on a rain-interrupted day on Friday represented his 28th win in 30 matches since losing in the first round of the French Open in May.
Thunderstorms delayed Roddick’s appearance on centre court but he did not let any uncertainty creep into his game. Heavy serves and groundstrokes never allowed Zabaleta to settle and the sheer variety of his attack — a mix of net rushes, chip and charges and backcourt patience — was too much for the Argentine.
Roddick broke twice in both sets, the highlight a blistering return of serve at 4-2 in the second which was through Zabaleta before he had finished his service motion. In all he was troubled for only 59 minutes. But he said: “I’m trying to win matches, I’m not concerned with the clock.”
The 20-year-old meets Mirnyi after the ‘Beast of Belarus’ pummeled Coria into submission. The Argentine is one of the best defensive players in the game but Mirnyi set his stall out at the net and Coria, who had won 18 of his last 19 matches, was at a loss to combat it.
Mirnyi also refused to allow two rain delays — the second lasting two hours 23 minutes — to disrupt his rhythm. Mirnyi could move into the world’s top 20 for the first time in his career when the new rankings are announced next week.
In the evening matches, American Mardy Fish produced one of the best performances of his career to dismiss David Nalbandian of Argentina 7-6, 6-3. But the other home hope, Robby Ginepri, could neither live up to expectation nor match the consistency of eighth-seeded German Rainer Schuettler in a 6-2, 6-3 defeat.
Henin-Hardenne Blasts Bovina in Toronto
Second seed Justine Henin-Hardenne turned the lights out on Elena Bovina’s challenge, beating the Russian 6-2, 6-4 to reach the semifinals of the $1.3 million Canadian Open in Toronto on Friday. The Belgian now meets ninth-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva, who overcame defending champion Amelie Mauresmo of France 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
The tournament has been marred by the massive power failure which hit the eastern seaboard area of Canada and the northeast of the US. Henin-Hardenne was happy to put all the distractions to one side and concentrate on playing.
Dementieva rallied after losing the first set 6-3 to win a grueling battle against third seed Mauresmo, who needed an injury timeout for a back strain. The Frenchwoman appeared to play pain-free for the rest of the contest but Dementieva had more energy and finally prevailed in a match that took more than two hours to complete.
Paola Suarez of Argentina and Russian Lina Krasnoroutskaya, both unseeded, will meet in the other semifinal. Suarez upset 10th seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 while Krasnoroutskaya defeated Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Krasnoroutskaya knocked out world No. 1 Kim Clijsters.
Seles Withdraws From US Open
Former US Open champion Monica Seles has pulled out of this year’s Grand Slam tournament due to an injury. Seles has been sidelined most of the year with a stress fracture on her left foot.
The American lost in the first round of the 2003 French Open and has not played since. Seles has won the US Open twice and has nine Grand Slam titles on her resume.
