Prakash fails to repeat father's glory in Hall of Fame

Newport, Rhode Island, July 14 (UNI) Prakash Amritraj's hopes of walking on his father's footsteps in the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships came to a screeching halt after he crashed out in the quarterfinals of the 416,000 dollar event against fifth seed Nicholas Mahut of France here.

Prakash, who ended India's eight year drought in an ATP singles quarterfinal -- Leander Paes being the last player to reach the last eight in 1998 -- lost to the Frenchman 4-6, 6-7 (4/7).

Meanwhile, Pakistan's tennis sensation Aisam-ul Haq Qureshi also met with the same fate in his quarter-final encounter against Belgian Dick Norman 4-6, 6-3, 4-6.

Qureshi had earlier upset top seeded American Mardy Fish in the opening round.

With both Prakash and Qureshi's ouster from the event, it also ended the prospects of a mouthwatering semi-final clash between the two promising subcontinent talents.

The Indo-Pak pair were already shown the exit door in the doubles category following their first round defeat to top seeds Wesley Moodie and Fabrice Santoro.

Prakash's father, the legendary Vijay Amritraj had won the Hall of Fame Championship thrice in his career.

UNI