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Cape Town - Stefanos Tsitsipas shrugged off a slow start against Joao Domingues to advance to the Estoril Open semi-finals, where David Goffin is the man standing in his way.
The top seed found himself 3-5 down in the first set against Portuguese Domingues, but battled back to secure a 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 win in one hour and 47 minutes.
“I feel like I was much more disciplined than usual,” Tsitsipas said.
“I’m really happy with the victory. I didn’t start very well, but I managed to find my rhythm game by game and broke back when I had to... I got the break back and then I felt like the momentum was going to me.”
Qualifier Domingues broke in game three, but the Greek hit back in game 10 and then won the tie-breaker. The pair traded breaks in games seven and eight of the second set before Tsitsipas made one stick in game nine.
Next up is Belgian David Goffin after the fourth seed came from a set down to beat Malek Jaziri of Tunisia 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 in two hours and 37 minutes.
Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Pablo Cuevas from Uruguay will contest the other semi-final after the two claimed upset wins.
The 19-year-old Fokina, the 2017 Wimbledon Boys’ title winner, beat third seed Gael Monfils 6-7 (2-7), 7-5, 6-4 while lucky loser Cuevas was a 6-0, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 winner over eighth seed Frances Tiafoe.
Results of the ATP tournament in Estoril on Friday (x denotes seeding):
Quarter-finals
Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x1) bt Joao Domingues (POR) 7-6 (7/3), 6-4
David Goffin (BEL x4) bt Malek Jaziri (TUN) 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2
Alejandro Davidovich (ESP) bt Gael Monfils (FRA/N.3) 6-7 (2/7), 7-5, 6-4
Pablo Cuevas (URU) bt Frances Tiafoe (USA x8) 6-0, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2
