Here’s good news for the Indian tennis fans. Continuing his great touch, India's Somdev Devvarman defeated fourth seeded Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-6(4) 6-4 and storm into the semifinals of the Chennai Open ATP Tour tennis tournament here.

Playing before the home crowd, Somdev, who earlier crushed former world no.1 and two-time champion here Carlos Moya, played his heart out to win the quarterfinal match in 86 minutes. With this win, he became the only second Indian after Leander Paes to figure in the semifinals of the 14-year old prestigious event.

Earlier at the same venue in 1998, Paes had lost to top seed Patrick Rafter of Australia.

In the semifinals, Somdev will now meet Germany's fifth seeded Rainer Schuettler, who stayed on course with a 6-2 7-5 win in 98 minutes over his compatriot Bjorn Phau on Friday.

In the other semifinal tomorrow, third seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia plays eighth seed Marcel Granollers of Spain.

After his striking display against Moya, Somdev was looking at his best against Karlovic, the winner of the last year Nottingham ATP Tournament. Somdev grew in confidence and was able to hold on to his services without being tested much. The two competitors played to their game plans.

Though Karlovic made good use of his services to bridge the lead to 2-3 with a flowing forehand and an ace but Somdev continued his aggressive play coming up with booming forehand top spin returns to go up 5-2. However, the six-foot-ten-inch Croat kept up the pressure, forcing Somdev to send two service returns wide.

Somdev waited for his chance. The Indian made it 6-4 with an excellent crosscourt forehand winner and then pumped in an ace to take the first set.