Third-seeded Malisse, two-time champion Moya move into quarterfinals

MADRAS, India (AP) _ Third-seeded Xavier Malisse of Belgium and fifth-seeded Spaniard Carlos Moya sailed Wednesday into the quarterfinals at the ATP Tour's Chennai Open in India. <br/><br/>Dropping

Wednesday, January 3rd 2007, 11:00 am

By: News On 6

MADRAS, India (AP) _ Third-seeded Xavier Malisse of Belgium and fifth-seeded Spaniard Carlos Moya sailed Wednesday into the quarterfinals at the ATP Tour's Chennai Open in India.

Dropping his opening serve following a spate of foot-faults, Malisse coasted to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Stefano Galvini of Italy in the second-round contest.

The two-time Chennai Open singles champion Moya faced little difficulty on way to his 6-4, 6-3 win against Kevin Kim of the United States.

Malisse, ranked 37th in the world, made no effort to hide his frustration after being broken in the match's opening game, during which he committed three foot-faults.

Annoyed after hitting an easy forehand over the baseline, Malisse broke his racket after smashing it down hard on his shoe. But he calmed down afterward and broke back to draw parity.

``All sorts of things happened in the first game,'' said Malisse. ``I was feeling frustrated after being called for foot-faults, and two of these were bad calls.''

Malisse went on to claim the first set after taking another point on Galvini's service in the fourth game. The second set saw Malisse effect two more breaks, in the third and seventh games.

``Galvini's not the sort of player you meet every day, but he's quite good,'' Malisse said.

The former world No. 1 Moya, currently ranked 43rd, also had to rally after faltering on his service early in the contest against Kim.

Dropping service in the third game, Moya returned the compliment in the next one. Points then went with service until Kim faltered with his serve again in the 10th game to concede the opening set.

Moya needed just one break, in the fourth game of the second set, to secure has passage into the quarterfinals.

Moya was a finalist in this tournament for the past three years, winning the title in 2004 and 2005, but losing to Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia in the title match last year.

Moya's quarterfinal opponent will be either Kristian Pless of Denmark or Ivo Karlovic of Croatia, who played later Wednesday.

Moya said his game Wednesday had more rhythm than in the first round, when he resumed competitive tennis after a season-ending break.

``My plan was to draw Kim to the net, which I know isn't his favorite place on the court,'' Moya said. ``I then managed to hit some fine passing shots.''

The status of sixth-seeded Fabrice Santoro of France was uncertain as he pulled out of the doubles competition where he was to partner with compatriot Olivier Patience.

Santoro suffered back spasms Tuesday during his first singles outing against David Skoch of Czech Republic. He will decide Thursday morning whether he is fit to play the second-round match against Bjorn Phau of Germany.