LYON, France -- Top-seeded Rainer Schuettler beat Xavier Malisse 7-6 (2), 6-4 Friday to reach the Lyon Open semifinals and clinch a berth at the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup.

Schuettler, runner-up to Andre Agassi at the Australian Open, has won eight straight matches.

Eight players will participate in the TMC in Houston Nov. 8-16, and Schuettler is the sixth man to qualify so far. Agassi, Andy Roddick, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Roger Federer and Guillermo Coria are the others.

Schuettler now plays doubles partner Mikhail Youzhny, who defeated Robby Ginepri 7-6 (3), 6-2.

In the other semifinal, Paradorn Srichaphan will face Arnaud Clement. Paradorn, seeded third, eliminated Fabrice Santoro 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), while Clement beat Hicham Arazi 6-3, 6-4.