MARSEILLE, France, Feb 15, 2008 - Croatian Davis Cup winner Mario Ancic took another step forward in reigniting his career on Friday by reaching the Marseille ATP semi-finals. The 23-year-old made the final here two years ago and would soon climb into the world top ten, only to succumb to a mononucleosis, an ailment whose symptoms include enlargement of the spleen and an inflamed liver. Even after coming back in August a shoulder injury meant he had to miss the US Open before gradually beginning the long fight back towards the elite. Here, Ancic has been a wild card with his ranking down at 135 but he soon showed he meant business by dumping French Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets. Friday's 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2 quarter-final win over Robin Soderling of Sweden saw Ancic hit 25 aces to set up a semi-final clash with sixth seed Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus who put out Russian third seed Mikhail Youzhny 7-6 (7/2), 6-3. "That was a great battle, with an unbelievable level of tennis," enthused Ancic afterwards. "I am pleasantly surprised by the level of my tennis here and I am really enjoying myself," he added after reaching the last four of a tournament for the first time since Saint Petersburg in 2006. "I am enjoying every moment on court as each match is a bonus after a very difficult year. It's proving an incredible week." Fourth seeded Briton Andy Murray moved into semi-finals following a 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) win over Nicolas Mahut of France. The world number 11 edged out his French opponent in just under an hour and a quarter. Murray served up 14 aces, four more than his 26-year-old opponent and he will now face French eighth seed Paul-Henri Mathieu who put out compatriot Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-4.
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