Marcelo Rios advanced to the semi-finals of the Nasdaq-100 Open for the first time since winning the title in 1998 when he recovered from an early break to defeat fellow South American Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6 6-2 in Miami. The Chilean now meets Andre Agassi, whom he defeated to win this title in 1998 during his rise to the number one world ranking, in the last four. Like the American, Rios has not dropped a set in this tournament, and although he is receiving treatment on his right knee for tendonitis, he remains confident of beating Agassi.
In the last women's quarter-final, Monica Seles battled back from a set down to defeat Belgium's Kim Clijsters 4-6 6-3 6-3. Seles' victory earned her a last-four clash with top seed Jennifer Capriati and made the semi-finals an all-American affair. The Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, must battle it out in the other semi.
Filed by Shane Murray
