INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Cecil Mamiit lost to American second seed Michael Russel, 6-1, 7-6 (6), late Saturday in the semifinals of the USTA men?s pro tennis championships of Calabasas in California.

The 33-year-old heart of soul of RP team tennis campaigns marched to the semifinals by beating Japan?s Go Soeda (6-4, 6-2), who is expected to be his main nemesis in the Davis Cup Group 1 next year.

But his run ended in the face of power-serving Russel who was to dispute the title against fellow American Donald Young, who booted out compatriot Michael Yani, 6-3, 6-1.

Another Filipino Treat Huey was to play the finals of the doubles event with Indonesian partner Harsh Mankad versus Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Simon Sadler of Germany.