Nothing has come easy for David Sanchez at the XL Capital Bermuda Open and yesterday was no different as the Spaniard once again needed `overtime' in order to manufacture victory.

The lone remaining seed -- at number seven -- he has been stretched to three sets in each of his matches, appearing vulnerable one moment, but eventually pulling through.

On Centre Court during yesterday's quarter-final match against Edwin Kempes of the Netherlands the script was repeated, as after seizing the opening set 6-3, Sanchez' game went missing and so, it seemed, his chances of advancing.

Of course Kempes played a great role in aiding the disappearance, bombarding his opponent with an string of winners that made one question as to whether he was the same player that appeared for the first set.

Shots that had been sailing long during the beginning suddenly began finding the corners with regularity, pushing Sanchez around in the process.

The end result saw Kempes capture the set at love, and the writing seemed on the wall.

However, just as previously, Sanchez was able to compose himself for a final charge, and in a battle of wills it was his that won out over that of Kempes, the final result a 6-3, 0-6, 6-3 triumph that boosted him into today's semi-finals.

"I thought we both played a good match, a very tough match,'' said Sanchez following the thriller. "I feel that I had a lot of confidence coming into today. Yesterday (Thursday) I had a match where I was a set down and 4-1 in the second and was able to come back and win the match. This is very important as when you're able to win a match like that you come back better for the next one.

"Today I won the first set 6-3 and then lost the next one in less than 15 minutes, which I couldn't really understand. But this is tennis and I had to start again for the third set and I was able to win and I feel that I'm in very good physical shape to win matches like these.'' As for Kempes it was a case of not being able to readjust in the third when Sanchez found ways to defend his attacks.

"He started playing really well, very solid, didn't miss any balls in the beginning of the third set, while I, like in the second set, took more risks and started going to the net,'' said Kempes. "In the second set he had no answer for that, but in the third set he did. So I had to change my plan again and it was very difficult.

"Still, I'm very happy with my performance here. This is the first clay court tournament of the year and to already be playing at this level that I've shown here gives me reason to look forward to the summer.'' While Kempes can commence booking a flight from the Island, Sanchez has business to take care of among the confines of Coral Beach Club, with another testing match set up, this time against red hot qualifier Michael Russell of the United States.

Russell, a veritable pocket rocket, likewise defeated Ota Fukarek in three sets and Sanchez was expecting another marathon battle.

"That will be a difficult match,'' he said. "Russell, in the last two weeks, has won a tournament and has lots of confidence, but I think he's better on hardcourts.'' The day's third quarter-final affair was largely absent the drama of the first two, with Luis Horna of Peru breezing past Switzerland's George Bastl in straight sets 6-1, 7-5.

Horna took little time seizing control of the match, breaking Bastl's serve in the second game and again in the sixth before serving out the set.

And while Bastl was able to put up a better showing in the second set, Horna, clearly more comfortable on the green clay, refused to lose.

Net gain: Ota Fukarek stoops to return a low volley during his match against Mike Russell on Centre Court.