Hewitt too strong for Enqvist

Lleyton Hewitt is the top seed in Indian Wells

Top seed Lleyton Hewitt reached the semi-finals of the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells with a 6-4 6-4 victory over unseeded Swede Thomas Enqvist.

He will face either 10th seed Pete Sampras or unseeded German Rainer Schuttler, who face each other on Friday evening.

Hewitt, winner of the title in San Jose, California, earlier this month, is trying to improve on his previous best showing at Indian Wells, a semi-final defeat to eventual champion Andre Agassi last year.

Martin was unfancied at the start of the tournament

"He made me fight it out a little," Hewitt said of Enqvist, winner of the title in Marseille already this year.

Enqvist also ousted Australian Open champion and compatriot Thomas Johansson in the first round, and 12th seed Swiss Roger Federer in the third.

Todd Martin upset second seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia to set up a semi-final match with Tim Henman.

The American wildcard won 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 as Kafelnikov failed to convert 10 of his 11 break opportunities.

MArtin admitted: "Yevgeny probably did out-play me. That's one of the neatest things about our sport, the scoring system is geared to critical moments.

"At those critical moments, he didn't out-play me."

Kafelnikov summed up the match as "disappointing, disappointing, frustrating".

"I did have a big number of break point opportunities but was unable to convert. Obviously this loss brings a bad taste to my mouth," he added.

Sampras overcame blustery conditions

"To lose 7-6 6-4, the opportunity doesn't come up like that very often where you have a chance to go into the semifinals in a Masters Series event."

Pete Sampras is also through to the semi-finals after beating Rainer Schuettler in straight sets.

Playing with an authority and confidence seldom seen during a near two-year title drought, the 30-year-old appeared to enjoy every minute on the centre court.

Sampras' victory sets up an intriguing semi-final match against Hewitt.

---

Quarter-final results

Todd Martin (U.S.) beat 2-Yevgeny Kafelnikov (Russia) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4
1-Lleyton Hewitt (Australia) beat Thomas Enqvist (Sweden) 6-4 6-4
10-Pete Sampras (U.S.) beat Rainer Schuettler (Germany) 6-2 6-4
9-Tim Henman (Britain) beat Gaston Gaudio (Argentina) 6-3 6-2