Monfils advances to quarters

Montpellier - Top-seeded Gael Monfils won a tight all-French encounter against Kenny De Schepper 6-4, 7-6 (3) to reach the quarter-finals of the Open Sud de France on Thursday.

One break of serve was enough for Monfils, who saved all three break points he faced.

Monfils will next take on qualifier Steve Darcis of Belgium, who defeated Jarkko Nieminen of Finland 6-2, 7-6 (3).

Third-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany hit 19 aces and saved 11 of the 13 break points he faced before rallying past Paul-Henri Mathieu of France 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in a second-round match which lasted more than two hours.

Kohlschreiber will face seventh-seeded Joao Sousa for a semifinals berth.