Unseeded Puerta wins

PARIS – Shouts of bravo mingled with expressions of surprise as unseeded Mariano Puerta, an Argentine back from a nine-month drug suspension, and Nikolay Davydenko, a Russian on the rise, set up an unlikely French Open semifinal.

After nearly seven hours of tennis in a pair of five-set marathons Wednesday, Puerta and Davydenko emerged the weary winners who will face each other Friday for a spot in the final against the winner of the more celebrated semifinal between No. 1 Roger Federer and No. 4 Rafael Nadal.

Puerta outlasted No. 9 compatriot Guillermo Canas, 6-2, 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a 3-hour, 35-minute match that was like an intense Argentine Davis Cup practice. The No. 12-seeded Davydenko gave himself a birthday present the day before he turns 24 by edging No. 15 Tommy Robredo 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in 3:18.

The left-handed Puerta and right-handed Canas, who have known each other since they were children playing in the same club, engaged in long baseline rallies of up to 30 shots on a sun-splashed afternoon at Roland Garros. Although they weren’t headliners or local favorites, the Argentines frequently drew sustained cheers and bravos from the fans who filled the center court stands.

This was only Puerta’s third tour event since returning from a suspension for testing positive for clenbuterol, a long-banned drug with anabolic properties that can build muscles and trim fat. An investigative panel determined that a doctor prescribed the drug to Puerta to treat an acute asthma attack.

“It’s not used in the United States or Europe anymore for asthma, but it’s still used in Latin America,” said World Anti-Doping Agency consultant Dr. Gary Wadler. “But athletes know it’s strictly prohibited. They have a card with that and all other banned drugs listed. It comes down to strict liability. The athlete bears the responsibility for anything he puts in his body.”

Neither Puerta nor Davydenko has gone so far in a Grand Slam event. Puerta’s best showing in a major before this was getting to the third round of the French in 2000. Davydenko also hadn’t gone past the third round of a major until he reached the quarters of the Australian Open in January.

Now the Russian is into the semis at Roland Garros with 10 consecutive wins.