Monfils advances to semifinals in Austria

Oct 10, 2008 - 9:11 PM VIENNA, Austria (Ticker) -- Gael Monfils is back in the semifinals.

The eighth-seeded Frenchman advanced to his fourth ATP semifinal of the year by beating second-seeded Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Bank Austria-Tennis Trophy.

The 22-year-old has reached three semifinals this year, including his impressive run at the French Open, but has yet to reach a championship in 2008.

Monfils needed just one hour and 42 minutes to dispatch Gonzalez in this hardcourt event, saving 7-of-8 break points and drilling six aces.

Monfils will meet Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany for the first time in the semis.

Kohlschreiber reached his third semifinal of the season by upsetting Spanish fifth seed Fernando Verdasco, 6-2, 6-3, in 67 minutes The German capitalized on 4-of-7 break-point chances to improve his head-to-head record to 3-1 against Verdasco.

In the top of the draw, Spaniard Feliciano Lopez rallied past Austria's Jurgen Melzer, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, to book his spot in the semifinals.

The other quarterfinal in the top half saw German qualifier Philipp Petzschner oust Spain's Carlos Moya, 6-2, 6-3. Petzschner opened the tournament by upsetting top seed Stanislas Wawrinka in three sets.

First prize is just over $187,000.