Safin reaches semifinals but not happy

Russian top seed Marat Safin reached the semifinals of the President's Cup ATP tournament on Friday but said he would have to improve his form to have any chance of retaining the title.

Safin's 3-6 6-1 6-2 win over Dane Kristian Pless sets up a clash with the tournament's surprise package Sargis Sargsian of Armenia, who overcame fourth seed Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands 7-6 2-6 6-4.

"If he (Sargsian) plays well he'll beat me, I guarantee you," the 21-year-old Safin told a news conference after his laboured win in 81 minutes.

"He played pretty well, and began the second set well...but then he started to crack and didn't get it together at all in the third set," Safin said.

Safin is still on course to meet second seed and fellow Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov in Sunday's final. Kafelnikov, a finalist here in 1998, was due to play his quarter-final against German Rainer Schuettler later on Friday.

The winner will meet third seed Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia, who cruised past Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan 7-6 6-2.