TENNIS : Chang Reaches Semifinals; Wheaton Upsets Courier

Defending champion Michael Chang advanced to the semifinals of the $1.72 million ATP Championship the same way he did last year, beating Jason Stoltenberg in Friday’s quarterfinals, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5.

“He was a different Jason Stoltenberg than last year,” Chang said of the Australian, who has been the hottest player on the men’s tour.

“He’s been playing well this summer. If he keeps it up, he’s going to be a dangerous player,” Chang said.

But again this year, Stoltenberg could not overcome Chang’s dogged determination.

“He is the sort of player you’ve got to beat. He is not going to beat himself,” Stoltenberg said.

In today’s semifinals, Chang will face David Wheaton, who upset seventh-seeded Jim Courier, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3.

Third-seeded Michael Stich of Germany beat Alex O’Brien, 6-2, 6-4, and will play Stefan Edberg of Sweden.

Edberg lost the first set to Amos Mansdorf of Israel, 5-7, won the second, 6-4, and then advanced to the semifinals when Mansdorf had to retire because of a pulled muscle in his right calf.

The injury occurred midway through the first set, and Mansdorf had the calf wrapped. He aggravated the injury later in the set but played on, winning points with slashing returns that prevented Edberg from hitting to his crippled backhand, before finally deciding he was unable to go on.

“I noticed he was struggling, but I couldn’t move him around because I couldn’t keep the ball on the court,” Edberg said.