Querrey moves into Pilot Pen semifinals

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Sam Querrey defeated top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko Thursday to reach the semifinals of the Pilot Pen in New Haven, Conn.

Querrey, putting pressure on Andy Roddick for recognition as the leading American player, ousted Davydenko 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Querrey has reached four championship matches this year and won a title this month in Los Angeles.

Querrey will be the No. 22 seed when the U.S. Open begins next week. His semifinal opponent at the Pilot Pen will be Jose Acasuso, who defeated Florent Serra 7-5, 6-4.

The other semifinal will send Fernando Verdasco against Igor Andreev. Verdasco was a 6-3, 6-1 winner over Jurgen Melzer and Andreev defeated Leonardo Mayer 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3.