Basel - Third seed Rafael Nadal was given a stern test but eventually managed to shake off Marin Cilic 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the Swiss Indoors semi-finals on Friday.
The injury-plagued Spaniard has endured a poor season by his standards but wants to end the year with a bang at the World Tour Finals in London next month and his Basel performances are showing his best form is not far away.
He will play No 5 seed Richard Gasquet in the last four on Saturday after the Frenchman beat Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (8/6).
Top seed and Basel resident Roger Federer takes on David Goffin later on Friday knowing his prospective semi-final opponent is Jack Sock after the American overcame compatriot Donald Young 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Results from the fifth day of the ATP Swiss Indoors on Friday (x denotes seeding):
Quarter finals
Jack Sock (USA) bt Donald Young (USA) 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
Rafael Nadal (ESP x3) bt Marin Cilic (CRO x7) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
Richard Gasquet (FRA x5) bt Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (8/6)