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Rafter beats Rusedski in quarters at Cincinnati
( 2001-08-11 10:01 ) (7 )

Australian Pat Rafter came from a set down to beat Briton Greg Rusedski 5-7 7-6 6-4 on Friday in the quarter-finals of the Tennis Masters Series-Cincinnati. In a marathon match that lasted two hours 47 minutes, eighth seed Rafter failed to convert 14 break points but cashed in the 15th and went on to win.

Rafter took advantage of the fourth break point in the ninth game of the third set by smacking a sizzling forehand return of a tired serve by Rusedski.

The Wimbledon finalist then served out the match at love with an ace on the final point.

Minutes after the match ended a thunderstorm forced the quarter-final between fifth-seeded Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Croatian qualifier Ivan Ljubicic into a rain delay.

Rafter did not so much squander his opportunities on the first 14 break points as Rusedski consistently saved himself with spectacular serving.

"I was getting very frustrated and it was eating away at me," said Rafter. "In the second set I was completely knackered. I knew after I won the second set, though, I'd have more chances."

In the second set, Rafter finally got the upper hand when Rusedski double-faulted on the seventh point of the tiebreaker to take the necessary minibreak.

Rafter, who now has a 7-3 career edge over Rusedski, believed he had the stamina to outlast the Briton because he "felt as good as he had all week long and that made me hang in there."

Pleased with his performance despite the loss, Rusedski did question a crucial overrule by umpire Norm Chryst in the fourth game of the third set.

Leading 15-30 on Rafter's serve, Rusedski hit a lob that was deemed in by the linesman, but then judged out by Chryst.

If the linesman's call had stood, Rusedski would have been at 15-40 with two opportunities to break serve.

"I was a little bit disappointed and the match did come down to one or two points," Rusedski said. "I must say Rafter played well and I have to give him credit."

Rafter, a two-time US Open champion, will meet either Hewitt or Ljubicic in the semifinals on Saturday.

Quarter-finals between top seed Gustavo Kuerten and sixth seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov and seventh seed Tim Henman and Jan-Michael Gambill were scheduled for Friday evening.