ATP young guns send Haas, Safin packing in Washington

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Second seed Tommy Haas and third seed Marat Safin were ousted in quarter-final matches Friday at the ATP Washington Classic as third-set US magician John Isner and speedy Frenchman Gael Monfils advanced.

Isner, in only his second ATP event, fired 30 aces to beat Haas 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/5) for his fourth triumph in a row in a third-set tie-breaker to reach a Saturday semi-final against Monfils, who eliminated Safin 6-3, 7-5.

"I'm as confident as ever. I feel like I can beat anybody. My serves are going well and it's a great weapon," Isner said.

"It's a dream come true. I think I'm going to wake up any second now."

Monfils, who turns 21 next month, fired 14 aces and chased down shot after shot to defeat Safin as he did last year...