Guillermo “El Fragile” Coria’s comeback from shoulder surgery hit a snag Thursday at the ATP stop in Auckland where the Argentine was out-baselined 6-4, 6-4 by Olivier “The Roach” Rochus.
"I'm feeling really great, moving really great on court and I just hope it carries on," said the Belgian Rochus, who handed Coria the loss as a 23rd birthday present. "I knew what I had to do today and it worked pretty well for me."
Czech qualifier Jan Hernych (d. Acasuso) was also a surprise semifinalist, joined by seeds (5) Fernando “Gonzo” Gonzalez (d. Ginepri) and (6) Juan Ignacio Chela (d. “You Say” Potito Starace).
Friday’s line-up in Auckland is (5) Gonzo vs. (6) Chela, and The Roach vs. (Q) Hernych.
