Fabio Fognini and Philipp Kohlschreiber both reached their second semifinal in as many weeks at the Generali Open.
Fognini, who won his fifth career title in Gstaad, Switzerland, received medical treatment for a lower back injury early in the opening set but eased past Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 6-1. The Brazilian won just one of his eight service games.
“I'm just happy because I still think I'm playing really good. Tomorrow I have a really tough, tough match with a great opponent, so hopefully I continue like this. Of course, winning is always good but I'm happy if I lose and I play well,” Fognini said.
The Italian plays former champion Kohlschreiber for a place in Saturday's final of the last clay court event of the season.
The German took the last five points of a third-set tiebreaker to outlast Dusan Lajovic 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5). Last week, Kohlschreiber pulled out of his semifinal in Hamburg with a thigh injury.
Also, Sebastian Ofner reached his maiden semifinal by defeating Renzo Olivo 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. The wild card entrant will next play Joao Sousa, who rallied to beat Gerald Melzer 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 in a match interrupted by rain.
