Carlos Moya takes sweet revenge in Chennai Open

Spain's Carlos Moya hits a ball against France's Paul-Henri Mathieu during the quarterfinal match of the 400,000-dollar Chennai tennis Open in the southern Indian city of Madras, January 7, 2005. Moya won in straight sets, 6-4,6-4.

Defending champion Carlos Moya of Spain joined second seed Paradorn Srichaphan to make semi-finals at the 400,000 US dollars Chennai Open after matches in Madras, India on Friday.

The world number five from Spain overcame Paul-Henri Mathieu ofFrance 6-4, 6-4 in the quarters, though he seemed below his best while facing his 123rd ranked opponent, who upset fifth seed Kenneth Carlsen in the previous round.

Moya, the 1998 French Open champion, revenging for his painful loss against Mathieu during the Davis Cup semi-final victory over France last year, struggled for rhythm despite serving 11 aces andwas helped with the Frenchman's 27 unforced errors.

Moya, 28, next faces his 21-year-old Davis Cup hitting partner Guillermo Garcia-Lopez who upset Michael Tabara of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-4.

Thai Paradorn, who is aiming for his fourth straight final here,earned a spot in the quarterfinals after beating unseeded Belgian Kristof Vliegen 6-3, 6-4. He will take on unseeded Tomas Zib of the Czech Republic, who beat American Justin Gimelstob 6-3, 7-6.

Source: Xinhua