Kiefer Ousts Top Seed at ATP St. Petersburg

Former Top 5-ranked German Nicolas Kiefer took a giant step toward possibly finishing the year within the Top 20, Friday at the St. Petersburg Open ousting top-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 6-1 to move into the semifinals.

"It's never easy to play Russians in Russia," Kiefer said. "I'm just glad there are no more Russians left here."

Also on the upset tip was Czech Robin Vik who mounted a comeback from a set down to defeat No. 4 seed and defending champion Mikhail Youzhny 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Davydenko was troubled by hand and shoulder pain, while Youzhny had back pain carrying over from Madrid.

"In the first set, when I did not feel pain, the result was like it should be," Youzhny said. "In the second set, I felt pain when I was serving at 1-0 and my play changed."

No. 2 seed Thomas Johansson displayed his return-of-serve prowess in dismantling the serve-and-volley game of No. 7 seed Greg Rusedski 6-2, 7-6(6), and No. 8-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco advanced with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Kenneth Carlsen.

Saturday's semifinal match-ups are (5) Kiefer vs. Vik (first meeting), and (8) Verdasco vs. (2) T.Johansson (Spaniard won their lone meeting on clay in 2004).