Shortened four-game sets and one-sided matches marked the third day of the Kep Open tennis tournament at the La Romonea court yesterday as four Phnom Penh raiders kept out the local contenders from the men’s singles semifinals.

The odds were extremely cramped on any of the four national team members, Orn Sambath, Thun Tola, Long Samneang and Long Chumneth being upset. The foursome expectedly filled up the last four places.

Leading the charge was top-seeded Orn Sambath, who had the measure of tournament organiser Sokhpal Ngo-Sissowath in the morning session, beating the determined 36-year old left hander 4-2, 4-2.

Long Chumenth, who is the Tennis Federation of Cambodia’s regular schools project coach, was slightly lax in the first set against an enthusiastic Arnaud, who managed to reach 3-3 before Chumenth closed out at 4-3.

In the second, Chumneth was all over his opponent, sweeping the set 4-0.

In the evening session, Long Samneang proved too strong and wily for Frenchman Gregory in a 4-1, 4-0 romp.

Left handed Thun Tola was unforgiving in his 4-0, 4-0 rout of Jeroen Van Vliet, who own the popular Breezes Lounge and Restaurant, one of the co-sponsors of the event.

The first semifinal at 8am today pits Long Chumneth against Orn Sambath followed by the clash between Long Samneang and Thun Tola.

The final has been fixed for 5pm today after the third place playoff.