Tennis: Billy Harris reaches last four at Chennai Open

Former Island pro gets as far as semi-finals in India

Tennis competitor Billy Harris put in a series of positive displays as he reached the last four of this year's Chennai Open.

Competing as the no.1 seed, the Island resident took three victories during the tournament in India during last week (3-9 February).

His progress was only halted with defeat in the semi-finals to Sweden's Elias Ymer in straight sets but with both of those sets being decided through tie-breaks (6-7, 6-7).

It's Harris' second tournament in as many weeks after representing Great Britain in the Davis Cup qualifiers in Japan on 31 January and 1 February.

During this latest outing, the former Albany Lawn and Castletown Lawn athlete opened with a two-set victory over Eric Vanshelboim of Ukraine (7-5, 6-2).

Harris also dispatched his next two opponents in straight sets - first a comprehensive victory over Turkey's Ergi Kirkin (6-3, 6-3) followed by overcoming Timofey Skatov of Kazakhstan (6-3, 7-6).

In recent weeks, 30-year-old Harris has moved up 13 places in the ATP rankings to 116th in the world.