Muster Survives Scare

Thomas Muster survived a rare scare on clay, rallying to beat 19-year-old Dutchman Sjeng Schalken 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Open. It was the 33rd consecutive victory for the top-seeded Austrian and defending champion.

Muster will face Cedric Pioline of France in today’s semifinals. Pioline needed 5 hours to overcome Carlos Costa of Spain 6-2, 6-3.

In other matches, Chile’s Marcelo Rios beat Magnus Gustafsson of Sweden 6-3, 6-4 and earned a semifinal meeting against Alberto Costa. Costa advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over qualifier and fellow Spaniard Felix Mantilla.