Belgian Draws Attention

Xavier Malisse knows it will be hard to make a name for himself with the likes of Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras also playing in the Mercedes-Benz Cup at UCLA.

Even after Friday’s 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 quarterfinal victory over local favorite Taylor Dent, the 21-year-old from Belgium realizes many people don’t know who he is.

“Everyone is asking, ‘Who the hell are you?’ ” Malisse said.

But Malisse, who might be best known to U.S. tennis fans as Jennifer Capriati’s ex-boyfriend, has been drawing attention with some impressive results this year, including a victory over U.S. Open champion Marat Safin this week.

And he might become more familiar should he defeat Sampras in today’s semifinal. Sampras defeated Magnus Norman, 7-5, 7-6 (4), Friday night.

After Malisse and Capriati split last October, both reportedly began reexamining their careers. Capriati focused on improving her fitness, and three months later won the Australian Open.

Malisse was considered a future star in the late ‘90s but fizzled, thanks in part to a questionable work ethic. He finished last year ranked 127th.

But the split with Capriati appears to have done him some good, too. Malisse has reached two finals and three semifinals this year. In addition to beating Safin, he has a victory over Goran Ivanisevic, who won Wimbledon earlier this month.

“Any time you beat Safin, you’re playing good tennis,” Sampras said of Malisse. “There are lots of good young guys coming up and he’s definitely one of them.”