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Fognini into Stuttgart semis

Stuttgart - Defending champion Fabio Fognini eased into the semi-finals of the Mercedes Cup on Friday with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Colombia's Santiago Giraldo.

Fognini saved the only break point he faced and converted two of his six chances to beat the seventh-seeded Giraldo in 81 minutes.

The top-seeded Italian, who is bidding to reach his fourth final of the season, next faces the third-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat Spanish compatriot and No 6 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/1).

Lukas Rosol upset the fourth-seeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4). The 48th-ranked Czech next faces No 2 Mikhail Youzhny of Russia. The 2002 tournament winner defeated Argentina's eighth-seeded Federico Delbonis 7-6 (7/2), 6-2.

Youzhny won 74 percent of his service points and saved the three break points he faced for victory in 1 hour, 41 minutes.

Results from the fifth day of the Stuttgart ATP tournament on Friday (x denotes seeding):

Quarter-finals

Fabio Fognini (ITA x1) bt Santiago Giraldo (COL x7) 6-4, 6-3

Roberto Bautista (ESP) bt Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/1)

Lukas Rosol (CZE) bt Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4)

Mikhail Youzhny (RUS x2) bt Federico Del Bonis (ARG x8) 7-6 (7/2), 6-2

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