Gaudio, Agassi, Haas Losers on the Dirt Friday

The defending champ Haas held serve to begin the third set against Melzer before suffering a collapse that including losing 12 of the next 13 points.

Top-seeded Andy Roddick overcame an early challenge to cruise past No. 8-seeded Luis Horna 6-4, 6-1.

"That's probably the best match I've served this year," said Roddick who threw down 14 aces. "I was hitting my spots. I was getting good action and I was able to hit all my serves today. I felt good about it. I was in control of it and I set the tone."

Roddick is now one match away from his fifth consecutive berth in the Houston final.

Also into the semis was qualifier Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador, who edged American wildcard James Blake 7-6 in the third set Friday night.

The former Anna Kournikova boy-toy entered Houston with a 1-4 record in tour play in 2005, and finds himself in his first ATP semifinal in almost two years.
 
On tap Saturday at Houston are (1) Roddick vs. (7) Jurgen "Tuna" Melzer (A-Rod has beaten Tuna Melt in all three of their career meetings without dropping a set), (Q) N.Lapentti vs. (6) Grosjean (Frenchman leads 7-1), and in the doubles (1) Knowles/Nestor vs. Fisher/Haggard and Cibulec/Fyrstenberg vs. Garcia/Horna.

Spaniards Nadal, Ferrero Into Semifinals at ATP Barcelona

No. 58-ranked Juan Carlos Ferrero, unseeded this week at the ATP stop in Barcelona, received another confidence boost in his quest to rejoin the Top 10 on Friday with a gritty 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, victory over current French Open holder Gaston Gaudio.

"I was playing against one of the best claycourt players in the world and felt very good," said the formerly No. 1-ranked Ferrero, who broke Gaudio in the eighth game of the final set. "It was a great game and I feel very happy with my form at the moment."

The No. 2-seeded Gaudio saved three match points before Ferrero drew the Argentine to the net then flicked a passing shot to set up a fourth m.p., finishing with a service winner.

No. 8 seed Rafael Nadal made two Spaniards in the semis, defeating unseeded Argentine Agustin Calleri who retired trailing 2-6, 0-3 with a back injury.

"I'm delighted with the way I'm playing at the moment," said Nadal, attempting to reach his fifth final in his last six events. "I've had an incredible two months and just hope I can now continue that by reaching the final here."

Also into the semis were No. 7 seed Nikolay Davydenko who stopped the unlikely run of serve-and-volleyer Max Mirnyi in straight sets, and No. 11 Radek Stepanek who ended another miracle run, that of Swiss qualifier Stanislas Wawrinka, coming from a set down for the win.

"I'm very steady on all surfaces but I think this is my best claycourt result of my career for sure," Stepanek said. "I'm looking forward to trying to get to the end and will do my best. (Semifinal opponent) Nadal is playing incredible for three weeks now. I think he's the toughest on clay at the moment but everyone is expecting him to win which will play to my advantage."

Saturday's semifinal match-ups will be (7) Davydenko vs. Ferrero (Spaniard leads career meetings 1-0), and (8) Nadal vs. (11) Stepanek (Nadal leads 1-0), with all of Spain watering at the mouth over a potential Nadal vs. Ferrero final.

The doubles semis will be Spaniards Lopez/Nadal vs. Czechs (5) Suk/Vizner, and (4) Aspelin/Perry vs. (2) Paes/Zimonjic.

Saturday Fed Cup World Group I Match-ups

Russia at Italy: Schiavone (ITA) vs. Safina (RUS), Garbin (ITA) vs. Dementieva (RUS)

The spotty Russian Dinara "Little Sis" Safina is given a shot at the bigs over Nadia Petrova and Elena Bovina. Italy would have a better shot with Silvia Farina Elia, who says she has no interest in Fed Cup, and Flavia Penetta who withdrew with injury.

Belgium at U.S.: Davenport (USA) vs. Vanhyfte (BEL), V.Williams (USA) vs. Callens (BEL)

"I think we're playing probably against the best team ever that stepped on a court for a Fed Cup tie, so we need to be realistic," said Belgian captain Carl Maes, already throwing in the towel. "We look more towards this week as a preparation almost for the next ties." Or more like, preparation for Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne to step back into the fold. Venus steps in for the injured Serena (ankle) in singles.

Argentina at Spain: Llagostera Vives (ESP) vs. Dulko (ARG), Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs. Salerni (ARG)

Play the pronunciation game with the two teams that don't have a chance of reaching the Fed Cup final.

France at Austria: Meusburger (AUT) vs. Dechy (FRA), Paszek (AUT) vs. Mauresmo (FRA)

Mary Pierce rides the pine for France against the ultra-low powered Austrians.
 
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