Brazilian, German Pair Wins HK Salem Open Double

Andre Sa of Brazil and K Braasch of Germany won the Hong Kong Salem Open double by beating P Luxa and Radek Stepanek, both from the Czech Republic 6-0, 7-5 on Saturday.

In the men's singles semi-finals, Rainer Schuettler of Germany beat Andre Sa of Brazil 6-4, 6-0 while Chile's Marcalo Rios crushed Andrew Ilie of Australia 6-4, 6-2.

Rainer Schuettler will face Marcalo Rios in the final 7 PM Hong Kong time on Sunday.

"I was a little bit tired. I was tentative and it showed. Every player does not like playing someone and for me it is him. He blocks well and moves well," Ilie told a post-match press conference.

"I have a great chance to win this tournament. I came here not expecting to do well but now that I'm in the final, I think I can win it," said Rios.

Schuettler, winner of the Shanghai Open last week, extended his winning streak to nine matches as he stormed past Sa.

"If I win the final, this would definitely be the best year in my career. I won last week and I'm currently playing very well," said Schuettler, ranked 49th in the world.

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/