Third seed Richard Gasquet is through to the Shenzhen Open semi-finals after edging qualifier Mischa Zverev 7-6(4), 7-6(2) on Friday.
The Frenchman prevailed in just over two hours to claim his 28th win of the season. Zverev had not dropped a set in advancing to his first ATP World Tour quarter-final in almost a year, but came up just short against Gasquet, despite saving 11 of 14 break points. The German was looking to reach his first semi-final in six years.
The 30-year-old Gasquet is chasing his second ATP World Tour title of the season, following victory in Montpellier in February (d. Mathieu). It has been, at times, a frustrating year for the right-hander, hampered by back, rib and abdominal injuries. But he is looking to get back on track after a surprise first-round defeat to Kyle Edmund at the US Open.
Gasquet goes on to face Janko Tipsarevic for a place in his 26th ATP World Tour final. The Serb finished strongly in a 7-6(6), 6-2 victory over Malek Jaziri in one hour and 56 minutes to set a semi-final clash with Gasquet, whom he trails 0-2 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.
Former World No. 8 Tipsarevic is through to his first ATP World Tour semi-final since winning the 2013 Chennai title. The 32-year-old Serb is working his way back up the Emirates ATP Rankings after falling as low as No. 1027 in October 2014 following a serious left foot injury.