Courier stormsinto pre-quarters

LONDON, June 12: Former world number one Jim Courier of the US blasted aside South African David Nainkin 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round of the Stella Artois tournament at Queen’s today.

Seventh seed Courier needed just 30 minutes to complete his rain-delayed second round tie and set up a third round clash with French Open semi-finalist Patrick Rafter of Australia later in the day.

The remaining second round match was also halted last night by rain with Jonas Bjorkman agonisingly close to victory over Luis Herrera leading 7-5, 6-5. He returned for a few minutes this morning to serve out and complete a 7-5 7-5 win.