MUMBAI, JAN 28: Hours after Thomas Enqvist moved into the final of the Australian Open today, compatriot Simon Aspelin, continuing his giant-killing run, made the semi-final of the Gold Flake ITF Futures Tennis Tournament at the Dr GA Ranade Tennis Centre, Cooperage, here.The 3-6 7-5 7-6 (7-4) win over fifth seed Mike Russell followed Aspelin's win over third seed Andrei Stoliarov yesterday.Asked if he was matching Enqvist ace for ace, the Swede qualifier said with a humble laugh, ``I am not comparing myself with Enqvist. But I am feeling good after beating higher-ranked players.''Aspelin admits having lost to Enqvist several times when they were juniors in the Swedish circuit. ``I have never won against him. He was pretty unbeatable in those days.''The American (ranked 285) was a sore loser, and after the match, chose to curse the host country for its hospitality. F*** you, India, Russell shouted on court, drawing a fine of $100.Twice during the match, Aspelin was certain he was on a boat witha hole - down 1-4 in the decider, and down 0-4 in the tie-break. ``He was gaining momentum and I thought inside, `He's going to win.' But suddenly I was serving better and was playing very well.''Aspelin now feels he can reach the summit. He received some help from semi-final opponent Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand. The Asian Games doubles gold winner pushed out Israel's Amir Hadad, who had stopped Aspelin in the second round at Ahmedabad last week. Hadad, who had notched a double in the Chandigarh leg, lost 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 2-6 in one hour 48 minutes.Indian pair Ghouse-Uppal in semis : Mustafa Ghouse and Vishal Uppal earned India a doubles semi-final berth when they defeated Mike Russell and Markus Hilpert 4-6 6-4 6-3.The Indian pair lost the first set when Ghouse served two double faults in the tenth game. It was the bandana-clad Uppal's brilliant volleying that gave the Indian pair the edge in the second and third. Uppal, whose lobs had earlier been lip-smacking put-aways for theopponents, persisted with that shot, and reaped richly when one landed perfectly on the far baseline to effect a break of Hilpert's serve in the third set.Harsh Mankad and Nitin Kirtane also advanced to the semi-final, after they received their second successive walkover.Results (all QF)Men singles: Simon Aspelin (Swed) bt Mike Russell (US) 3-6 7-5 7-6 (7-4); Srichaphan Paradorn (Thai) bt Amir Hadad (Isr) 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 6-2; Michel Kratochvil (Sui) bt Cedric Kauffmann (Fra) 6-0 7-5; Artem Derepasko (Rus) bt Filip Kaskak (Svk) 6-3 6-4.Men doubles: Nitin Kirtane & Harsh Mankad (Ind) bt Jocelyn Robechad & Simon Larose (Can) 4-0 (retd); Mustafa Ghouse & Vishal Uppal (Ind) bt Markus Hilpert & Mike Russell 4-6 6-4 6-3; Ivo Karlovic & Michael Kogan bt Jonatthtan Erlich & Amir Hadad (Isr) 6-3 6-4.
