By Alberto Amalfi | Thursday, August 6, 2015

 

Philipp Kohlschreiber defeated third-seeded Fabio Fognini, 7-6, 6-4, to set up a semifinal with the streaking Dominic Thiem.

Photo credit: Generali Open Kitzbühel

The Kitzbühel semifinals will be a border battle between players with strong one-handed backhands.

Philipp Kohlschreiber beat third-seeded Fabio Fognini, 7-6 (0), 6-4, to reach his first semifinal since he was runner-up to Andy Murray on the red clay of Munich in May.

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The German No. 1 fought off four of seven break points in earning the 98-minute win. Kohlschreiber has beaten Fognini three times in four meetings.

Kohlschreiber will play top-seeded Dominic Thiem in the semifinals. It will be the first meeting between the pair.

Thiem made it through after Albert Montanes retired due to a left ankle injury while the 21st-ranked Austrian led 7-6 (3), 3-2. It was Thiem's 10th consecutive victory.

Nicolas Almagro will play French qualifier Paul-Henri Mathieu in Friday's first semifinal.

Almagro was a 6-3, 6-4, victor over Serbia's Dusan Lajovic. Mathieu served just 44 percent, but still prevailed over Argentine Federico Delbonis, 6-3, 0-6, 6-3.  Mathieu has beaten Almagro in two of three career encounters.