Japanese netter reaches semis in ATP Challenger

MANILA, Philippines – Fourth seed Go Soeda of Japan turned back French David Guez, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, yesterday to advance to the semifinals of the $75,000 ATP Challenger Philippine Open at the Rizal Tennis Center.

Go, a veteran Davis Cupper, bounced back from a second set defeat and broke Guez once in the decider to clinch the victory and move two wins away from winning his 18th ATP challenger singles championship.

But the 31-year-old Go will be facing Marco Chiudinelli of Italy, who sustained his giant-killing ways with a 6-4, 7-6 (1) triumph over Chinese Li Zhe to crash into the Final Four.

Chiudinelli booted out top seed Luca Vanni of Italy, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, in the second round.

In doubles play, Filipino Francis Casey Alcantara and Indonesian partner Christopher Rungkat stormed straight into the finals after semis foes Sonchai and Sonchat Ratawatana withdrew Thursday night due to a death in the family.

Alcantara and Rungkat blasted Chiudinelli and Slovakian Lukas Lacko, 6-3, 6-2, in last Thursday’s quarterfinals to stay in the title chase.

Alcantara, a former Aussie Open Juniors doubles champion, and Rungkat also eased out No. 1 Ilija Bozoljac of Serbia and Andreas Siljestrom of Sweden, 4-6, 7-6 (10), 10-7, Wednesday.