Rusedski marches on in Heineken Open

Hard-working Greg Rusedski booked his place in the semi-finals of the Heineken Open in Auckland with victory over Austria's Stefan Koubek.

But the price of success for the British number two was more graft - because he was due out on court again within hours to face Spaniard Francisco Clavet in the last four.

Rain delays this week have forced Rusedski to do battle with a hectic schedule over the past two days as he seeks to complete his preparation for the Australian Open.

But he showed no sign of weakness in getting the better of Koubek 6-2 5-7 7-5.

Friday's other quarter-final winners were second seed Dominic Hrbaty - who beat Thomas Johansson 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 - and Spaniard Julian Balcells, a 6-3 6-4 victor over Glenn Weiner.