Courier, Cash Reach Seniors Grand Cayman Semis

Courier will face Mark Philippoussis of Australia in Saturday evening's semifinal, while Cash will take on Jimmy Arias in the first semifinal in the afternoon session. Courier is looking to win for the second time in the second-year Outback Champions Series event and, like in 2008, use the clay-court event to kick start his Outback Champion Series season.

"I am here defending my honor and my title as last year's champion but the task ahead will be a challenge, as anything worth doing tends to be," wrote Courier in his blog on the Outback Champions Series website. "(Winning in Grand Cayman in 2008) was the lift off for my season where I won here and then three more tournaments after a slow start. I am looking for the same thing here this year as I have had a bumpy start to my 2009 OCS campaign and am in need of a jump start."

Courier finished the 2006 and 2008 Outback Champions Series campaigns as the No. 1 ranked player in the year-end standings, but has struggled so far in 2009. In the opening event in Boston in February, Courier injured his back in round-robin play against John McEnroe and finished in fourth place. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Courier continued to struggle with his form and health and lost to McEnroe in the championship match.

In the third event of the year last month in Los Cabos, Mexico, Courier beat Mats Wilander in the third-place play-off after losing to Patrick Rafter in the semifinals.

"Since Cabo I have been able to train hard on/off court once again and should be ready to make a serious run this week for the title," wrote Courier on his blog. "We'll see if that's enough. With the tough field, I'll have to earn it if I'm going to hold the trophy again."

Cash, the 1987 Wimbledon champion, was spurred on to his win over Novacek by a group of vocal Australian fans -- many donning Cash's trademark checkerboard headbands. Cash was a late entry into the field after 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic was forced to withdraw when he was not sufficiently recovered from recent knee surgery to compete.

"I am just happy to be here," said Cash of his late entry into the tournament. "A few days ago, I was sitting in cold London when I got the call. It's a great opportunity to play in this tournament and to play here in Grand Cayman. It's a wonderful event."