Erste Bank Open: Juan Martin del Potro, Janko Tipsarevic reach semi-finals

Vienna: Top-seeded Juan Martin del Potro and Janko Tipsarevic won in straight sets on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the Erste Bank Open.

Del Potro defeated Marinko Matosevic of Australia 6-2, 6-2 to line up a match against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg. Second-seeded Tipsarevic was leading 6-2, 4-2 when Aljaz Bedene retired with a left thigh injury.

It was Del Potro's second match since returning from a right wrist injury that sidelined him for more than a month. "I feel confident with my shots, but I need to improve a little bit," the eighth-ranked Argentine said. "I would love to be in the final, but I need to serve well and find a way to break (Muller's) serve." Del Potro saved a break point in his opening service game against Matosevic and two more while serving for victory, but was in control throughout the match.

Del Potro defeated Marinko Matosevic of Australia 6-2, 6-2 while Tipsarevic was leading 6-2, 4-2 when Aljaz Bedene retired with a left thigh injury.

Earlier Friday, Muller advanced after defeating Paolo Lorenzi of Italy 6-3, 6-4. Muller had 10 aces and used one break in each set to reach his second semifinal of the year. Bedene, playing in his first career quarterfinal, was broken at 2-2. Tipsarevic then dominated as Bedene became hampered by the injury.

Tipsarevic will play either third-seeded Tommy Haas or Grega Zemlja for a place in the final on Sunday.

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