Molier Advances in Wheelchair Tennis

Ricky Molier of the Netherlands advanced to the men’s singles final of the U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships, upsetting top-seeded Laurent Giammartini of France on Friday at the Racquet Club of Irvine.

Molier, the Paralympic gold medalist, didn’t win a game in the second set,, but rallied to win, 7-5, 0-6, 6-3. Molier will now have a day to rest while he awaits the other semifinal match, between second-seeded David Hall of Costa Mesa and third-seeded Steve Welch of Arlington, Texas, today.

Hall, the defending U.S. Open champion, advanced to the semifinal, defeating Scott Douglas (Pelham, Ala.) on Friday, 6-4, 6-2. Welch defeated Diamond Bar’s Chip Parmelly, 6-4, 6-3.

In the women’s semifinals fourth-seeded Daniela DiToro (Australia) defeated seven-time U.S. Open Champion Chantal Vandierendonck (Netherlands), 6-4, 6-2. DiToro will meet Thursday’s semifinal winner Maaike Smit (Netherlands) in today’s final at 11 a.m.

In doubles, Hall and Michael Foulks (La Jolla) advanced to today’s semifinal looking to defend their U.S. Open title. Men’s singles and doubles finals will be held Sunday, beginning at 11:30 a.m.