Qualifier Arazi beats Arthurs
19 June 2003 Report by Rob Eyton-Jones

Australian Wayne Athurs' plans to get one step further than last year
and win The Samsung Open in Nottingham nose-dived in today's quarter
finals.

The big serving left hander struggled to come to terms with the
swirling winds, yielding in straight sets to the stocky Moroccan
Hicham Arazi.

"The wind helped me a lot today," said Arazi after his 6-4 6-3
victory. "He didn't put a lot of first serves in which helped me a
lot.

"I don't have a huge serve like them so I have to focus on my first
serve and get the maximum number in. The positive point is that I'm
fighting for all the points."

Arazi, who has just come back from injury which put him out for six
weeks, was the only qualifier to make it into today's last eight.

"I had a great practice in the qualies, the best a player can have is
to have three in the qualies. Winning six matches in a row gives me a
lot of confidence."

Arazi will face the winner of the Rusedski/Voltchkov quarter finals
and if it happens to be the British No.2 he is looking forward to
evening the score.

"Last week was my second tournament after a month and a half injured.
I lost to him (Rusedski) but now I'm in good shape and ready to take
my revenge tomorrow."

American Mardy Fish advanced to the semi finals in the other half of
the draw after beating German Alexander Popp 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.