Ancic continues run

Croatia's Mario Ancic is staying in contention for a berth in the Tennis Masters Cup.

The third-seeded Ancic moved into the semi-finals of the $1 million St Petersburg Open with Friday's 6-4 7-5 quarter-final triumph over Max Mirnyi of Belarus.

Ancic began this indoor event in 11th place in the race for a spot in the eight-man Tennis Masters Cup.

If he does not reach the final here, he would have to reach the championship round at Paris next week just to be in the running for a spot at the year-end event in Shanghai.

However, Ancic certainly will be favored to reach Sunday's final, as his opponent in the penultimate round will be Latvian wild card Ernest Gulbis.

The 18-year-old Gulbis, who had been just 1-3 on the ATP Tour prior to this week, advanced to the semi-finals with a surprising 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 victory over Czech Jan Hernych.

In the top half of the draw, 2002 Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson beat South African Wesley Moodie, 6-3 3-6 6-3.

Johansson, who moved into the quarter-finals in a walkover when No. 7 Mikhail Youzhny of Russia withdrew with an ankle injury, awaits either Russian wild card Igor Kunitsyn or Italian Potito Starace.

First prize is $142,000.