Defending champion Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan continued his amazing start to the season as he overcame a fighting Russian Igor Andreev in straight sets to storm into the semi-finals of the Tata Open ATP Tour tennis championship at Chennai on Friday.
The second seeded Thai, who had run-away victories in the earlier two rounds, faced some challenge from the 20-year old Russian but raised his game at crucial stages to carve out a 6-3, 7-6 (2) win that stretched his match record to 12-1 in the tournament since his first appearance in 2002. The only loss he had was in 2002 against Argentinean Guillermo Canas.
Andreev, who had upset seventh seeded David Ferrer in the second round, gave a good fight and broke Srichaphan in the second set once but could not sustain against the latter's powerful forehand. Infact, the break was the first one conceded by the Thai this year.
The Thai brought out the champion class in the second set as he broke back Andreev in the 7th game of the intensely fought second set to take it to the tie-break where his potent forehand shots gave him yet another straight set victory.
The Asian No.1, who won the title last year without losing a set, played a baseline game for most part though he did come to the net on a few occasions and won big points. Both the players hit the ball hard and engaged in rallies.
The 140th ranked Russian, who had last year defeated top Dutch player Sjeng Schalken, the third seed here, in the Moscow ATP event, made a vain bid as he came up with some big serves late in the second set but could not get the vital break.
Both the players served well and chose to play a baseline game engaging themselves in good rallies where a small margin of error cost them points. The Russian too came up with some power-packed forehand shots that forced the defending Champion to make a few errors.
The 24-year old Srichaphan broke Andreev in the fourth game of the first set to take the lead after a forehand error and a double fault cost Russian the game.
From then on the rivals held their serves rather easily till the ninth. Serving out for the set, the Thai lapsed into errors to concede the first break point in his three matches. But he saved the second with a 191 kmph ace, and went on to the clinch the set with a blistering forehand that was put out by his opponent.
In the second set, Andreev held a slight edge, attacking the Thai with his forehand shots and also set down several booming serves, including a couple of 200 kmph plus. He shot into the lead, breaking Srichaphan in the fourth game, setting up the break point with another forehand shot.
But the Russian soon found himself on the backfoot as he conceded a break in the seventh game making a series of errors even as Srichaphan stepped up his attack.
In the tie-break, Srichaphan led 4-2 with powerful forehand cross court winners. Serving 2-6, Andreev conceded the match point as he hit out a good return from Srichaphan who converted it with ease.
"This was completely a different match from the previous two I had played. He (Andreev) was hitting the ball hard and also came up with big serves," said Srichaphan.
He said his leg was a bit stiff towards the end of the second set as he had to use lot of energy to hit the ball and he took on court treatment before the tie-break.
On his opponent, Srichaphan said, "He is young. In future he could become a good player. He has big serves and a strong forehand."
Asked about his semifinal match, which will be against either Jean-Rene Lisnard or fourth seeded Tommy Robredo, he said he had played both of them once each. "Hope the best get into the final. One more match to reach my third final and I hope I can make it. I have a day's rest tomorrow."
