Devvarman reaches semis after seesaw struggle

JOHANNESBURG — Reigning Commonwealth Games and Asian Games champion Somdev Devvarman from India reached the South African Open semi-finals Friday by ousting local Rik de Voest.The 25-year-old Davis Cup star triumphed 3-6, 7-6, 6-1 after a seesaw 138-minute struggle at Montecasino entertainment centre in a plush northern suburb of the South African financial hub.It was second time lucky for the native of Assam in north-east India, who was eliminated in straight sets by Spaniard David Ferrer at the quarter-final stage of this ATP World Tour event last year.A couple of early third-set service breaks set up Devvarman for his ultimately comfortable victory which moved him within two matches of a 76,500-dollar first prize and 250 ATP World Tour points."Rik is a great player whom I got on top of only in the closing stages and now I must face another South African (Izak van der Merwe) for a place in the final," said Devvarman."We share the same coach and practise a lot together so we know pretty well how the other plays. It is great to reach the last four of such a prestigious tournament as the South African Open."Devvarman broke serve in the first game and led 3-1 before De Voest stormed back and two service breaks helped the South African win five games on the trot and take the opening set.The second set saw a similar tale unfold with the Indian quicker into his stride to move 4-1 ahead before he dropped serve in the seventh game and De Voest took advantage to force a tiebreaker.Devvarman seemed his own enemy at times, surrendering an early three-point advantage as the South African levelled via a superb backhand cross-court passing shot, before winning 7/5 and taking the duel to a third set.The four-match centre-court show got off to a good start for the host nation with 1.96-metre Izak van der Merwe overcoming German Simon Greul 7-6, 6-2 in stamina-sapping early afternoon heat."I executed my game plan really well today, delivering some good serves when necessary," boasted Van der Merwe, who drilled 10 aces bu

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