Malisse Beats Blake-Beater, Baghdatis Upset at New Haven

The win set up Chela up with a last eight fixture against No. 13 seed Xavier Malisse of Belgium. Malisse beat Spaniard Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-1, 6-3 Wednesday night. Malisse broke serve four times, while holding his own serve every time. The winner captured 65 points to 37 for the loser.

It was the pair's first ATP meeting. Malisse improved his 2006 record to 25-18, while Ramirez Hildago, who topped James Blake in the first round, fell back to 19-14.

Nikolay Davydenko, the highest seed remaining after Blake's surprise loss yesterday, continued his steady progress through the draw. The second seed defeated Paradorn Srichaphan at the expense of only five games, 6-4, 6-1. It was the top-ranked Russian's 45th win of 2006, giving him his second win over the 27-year-old from Thailand. Srichaphan has not won consecutive matches in the past five tournaments he has played.

In the quarterfinals Davydenko will play No. 8 seed Olivier Rochus, who defeated young French star Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-3, improving to 3-0 against the teenager in career meetings.

The Finn, Jarkko Nieminen, was beaten in straight sets by Chile's Nicolas Massu in the 3rd round. The No.4 seed was looking to beat Massu for the fourth time in his career, but only managed to claim seven games in a loss which lasted 87 minutes.

Massu will now face Agustin Calleri, who saw off The No.5 seed David Ferrer. The Spaniard, who was dismissed 6-3, 6-1, was looking to better his performance of reaching the semifinals here last year. Calleri is the second Argentine remaining in the competition.

Lucky loser and world No.73 Jurgen Melzer also prevailed in New Haven against Fernando Verdasco. Melzer was leading 6-4 and 4-1 in the second set before Verdasco retired with a right ankle injury. It was the first time the German had beaten the Spaniard in three attempts.

In the quarterfinals Thursday, Melzer will play No. 15 seed Robin Soderling of Sweden, who upset Marcos Baghdatis 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-5 Wednesday. Soderling broke Baghdatis three times and was only broken once himself. The victor won 117 points compared to 104 for the vanquished.

It was the duo's first ATP encounter. Soderling lifted his 2006 record to 24-16, while Baghdatis slipped to 30-16. Soderling is playing at New Haven for the second time, losing in his first match last year.
-- ATP