German doubles player Kohlmann to miss Davis Cup semi

BERLIN, Sep 5 (Reuters) Doubles specialist Michael Kohlmann will miss Germany's Davis Cup semi-final against Russia in Moscow this month because of a knee injury.

''It's a bitter blow for the team,'' captain Patrik Kuehnen told the German Tennis Federation Web site (www.dtb-tennis.de) today.

Kohlmann and regular partner Alexander Waske played an important part in taking Germany to the semi-finals, winning the doubles rubbers against Croatia and Belgium in the first two rounds.

The semi-final will be played on clay at Moscow's Olympic Sports Complex from Sept. 21-23. Kuehnen has until Tuesday to announce his team and he has still to make up his mind on a new partner for Waske.

''I can't commit myself yet,'' he said. ''I've got to talk to a few people.'' The singles berths will almost certainly go to Tommy Haas, who is in the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open, and Philipp Kohlschreiber, who lost in the third round to Carlos Moya.

The last time Germany reached the Davis Cup semi-finals was in 1995, when they lost to Russia at the same venue in Moscow.

This year's other semi-final is between Sweden and the United States.

REUTERS SSC BD1641