Kuerten and Novak en route
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ByEurosport
Published 15/01/2004 at 11:42 GMT
Former champions Jiri Novak and Gustavo Kuerten had varying degrees of difficulty on Thursday before advancing to the semi-finals of the Auckland Open. Novak, the second seed from the Czech Republic, rallied past promising Dutchman Raemon Sluiter 4-6, 6-4
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Novak, the 1996 champion, is trying to bounce back from a disappointing performance at last week's Hopman Cup team competition.
The 28-year-old will next face teenage Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who had a 2-1 lead when France's Gregory Carraz was forced to retire from their match due to a groin injury.
Defending champion Kuerten, polished off fifth-seeded Vincent Spadea 6-2 7-6 (7/4) after a spirited second set rally from the American.
The third seed from Brazil is trying to become the first player to defend his title here since New Zealand's Onny Parun in 1975-76.
Slovakia's Dominik Hrbaty could become the third former champion in the semi-finals with a win over unheralded German Philipp Kohlschreiber.
The 2001 winner here, Hrbaty took the first set, but Kohlschreiber was on the verge of levelling the match when play was halted due to rain.
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