Agassi marches into semis

Agassi has won 49 career titles to date

Click here for Friday's results

Top-seed Andre Agassi held his nerve against upset specialist Juan Ignacio Chela to move into the semi-finals of the Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic.

Despite losing the second set on a tie-break to the 22-year-old Argentine, the home favourite came through 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 6-1.

The South American moved from 810th to 71st in the ATP rankings last year thanks to six titles on the Challenger circuit, and Agassi paid tribute to his talent.

Chela seemed like he kind of ran out of steam a little bit, and I took advantage of it

Andre Agassi

"He doesn't look fast, but he's getting to a lot of balls. He has a backhand that he's hitting in both directions and a forehand that's very heavy," he said.

Agassi, who meets Xavier Malisse in the semis, is on the verge of his second successive final.

He lost last week to world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt in the final at San Jose.

The American, who has won three times at Scottsdale, is looking for his 50th career title,

"Chela seemed like he kind of ran out of steam a little bit, and I took advantage of it," added Agassi.

Number seven seed Malisse secured his place in the last four by beating Pete Sampras' conqueror Wayne Ferreira 7-5, 6-2 on Friday.

Juan Balcells beat Noam Okun 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to move into the semis, where he will face Rainer Schuettler who beat Carlos Moya 6-3 3-6 6-2.

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Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic: Friday's results:

Andre Agassi (USA) bt Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg) 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 6-1
Xavier Malisse (Bel) bt Wayne Ferreira (RSA) 7-5 6-2
Juan Balcells (Spa) bt Noam Okun (Isr) 6-4 4-6 6-3
Rainer Schuettler (Ger) bt Carlos Moya (Spa) 6-3 3-6 6-2.

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