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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 7:57 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2009

Tennis: Andreev, Ferrero through to Casablanca semifinals

Associated Press

CASABLANCA, Morocco — Top-seeded Igor Andreev of Russia defeated Marc Gicquel of France 6-1, 6-3 today to reach the semifinals of the Grand Prix Hassan II.

Andreev converted four of eight breakpoints and lost only five points on serve, sealing the clay-court match with an ace.

"I tried to play quick points, and it definitely gave me good results today," Andreev said.

He will play 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, who defeated fourth-seeded Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-3, 7-5.

"Andreev is so powerful on clay. He's playing good. I think the favorite is Igor," said Ferrero, a former No. 1 who is ranked 115th.

Third-seeded Albert Montanes of Spain edged Frederico Gil of Portugal 7-6 (5), 6-4, and No. 5 Florent Serra of France downed Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia 6-0, 6-4.