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Consistent Kafelnikov Russian reaches semifinals once again in Paris
Updated: Friday November 02, 2001 7:06 PM
PARIS (AP) -- Yevgeny Kafelnikov drew closer to an elusive Masters Series title, defeating Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3 Friday in the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters. Kafelnikov lost his opening service game but soon recovered, sealing the victory when Novak netted a forehand. The fourth-seeded Russian has twice won a Grand Slam -- the French Open in 1996 and the Australian in 1999. But he has yet to win a Masters -- second in importance only to the four majors -- despite four appearances in a final. He was the runner-up in Paris five years ago. "It's amazing that I've accomplished so many things in my career but I haven't won a Masters Series," said Kafelnikov, who earlier this week won a spot in his seventh straight Masters Cup. "I can't explain why." With the top three seeded players -- Gustavo Kuerten, Lleyton Hewitt and Juan Carlos Ferrero -- already eliminated from Paris, Kafelnikov's luck soon could change. In the semis, he faces Andreas Vinciguerra of Sweden, a 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) winner over Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands. "In the tiebreaker I told myself to not be nervous, to just relax and play my game," Vinciguerra said. The Swede eliminated defending champion Marat Safin and Wimbledon winner Goran Ivanisevic in earlier rounds. Sixth-seeded Sebastien Grosjean of France easily advanced, defeating Hicham Arazi of Morocco 6-2, 6-2. Grosjean meets Tommy Haas in the semis. The seventh-seeded German rallied past 15th-seeded Thomas Johansson of Sweden 4-6, 6-1, 6-3. Grosjean and Haas are the only players still in the running for the last place in the Masters Cup, which runs Nov. 12-18 in Sydney, Australia. The other six players to qualify for the eight-man event are the four Grand Slam champions -- Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic, Kuerten and Hewitt -- plus Ferrero and Patrick Rafter.
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