Davydenko, Malisse Into New Haven Semis

In an all South-American contest, No. 10 seed Agustin Calleri of Argentina saw off No. 14 Nicolas Massu of Chile 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals Thursday at New Haven.

Calleri broke Massu three times and was broken twice himself. The winner took 89 points, compared to 81 for the loser.

Calleri lifted his career mark against Massu to 5-2. Calleri improved his record for the year to 28-15, while Massu fell to 35-22.

Calleri is playing in his fifth semifinal of the year. He lost three of his previous four: at Buenos Aires in February to Volandri, at Bastad in July to Davydenko and at Sopot earlier this month to Mayer. Calleri won the title at Kitzbuhel in July (d. Chela). He has captured 16 of his last 19 matches.

In the semifinals Friday, Calleri faces No. 13 seed Xavier Malisse of Belgium, who defeated No. 12 Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 Thursday. Malisse broke Chela five times and was broken three times himself. The victor captured 98 point, compared to 89 for the vanquished.

With the win, Malisse evened his career record against Chela at 2-2. Malisse lifted his 2006 record to 26-18, while Chela fell to 26-21.

Malisse is playing in his fourth semifinal of the year. He won two of the previous three: at Adelaide in January, where he finished runner-up to Serra and at Delray Beach in February, where he finished runner-up to Haas. Malisse lost in the semifinals of Indianapolis last month to Blake. Malisse has won nine of his last 12 matches.

The match between Calleri and Malisse represents their first ATP meeting.

Robin Soderling, the No.15 seed from Sweden, booked his spot in the semifinal after a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win over Jurgen Melzer. Soderling served seven aces in the 54-minute win.

Soderling kept his record perfect at 2-0 against Melzer, with both wins coming this year. Soderling lifted his 2006 mark to 25-16 with the win, while Melzer slipped below .500 to 21-22.

Soderling will play in his third semifinal of the year. He made it to the final at Memphis in February (l. to Haas) and lost in the semis at Nottingham in June (to Gasquet).

The Swede will now face No.2 seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, who beat Belgium's Oliver Rochus, seeded eighth, 6-4, 6-2 Thursday.

Davydenko broke Rochus five times and was broken twice himself. The winner took 64 points, compared to 43 for the loser.

The Russian kept his career record against Rochus perfect at 2-0. Davydenko's record improved to 47-22 for the year, while Rochus slid to 26-16.

Davydenko is playing in his seventh semifinal of the year. He has won two titles this year: at Poertschach in May (d. Pavel) and Sopot earlier this month (d. Mayer). He also was runner-up at Estoril in May (l. to Nalbandian) and at Bastad last month (l. to Robredo).
-- ATP