Simon into Bucharest Semis, Bidding for Third Title

By Chris Oddo

Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

(April 27, 2012)--Top-seeded Gilles Simon outlasted Pole Lukasz Kubot to advance to the BRD Tiriac Nastase Trophy semifinals today, fighting back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Simon is bidding to make his third title run at the event after winning back-to-back titles in 2007 (d. Hanescu) and 2008 (d. Moya).

Simon converted six of fifteen break point opportunities against the 7th-seeded Kubot, including three of six in the decisive third set.

"I think Kubot played a very good match at the beginning," said Simon. "He was very aggressive. I played better and better and was able to win this match."

The world No. 12, who has now won seven of his last eight on the clay, will next face German Matthias Bachinger in the semifinals.

Bachinger, currently ranked 120 in the world, advanced to his first ATP semifinal when he defeated qualifier Daniel Brands in an all-German quarterfinal, 6-4, 6-1.

In an all-Italian semifinal, Fabio Fognini backed up his impressive win over Marcos Baghdatis yesterday by defeating Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4. The win was Fognini's first in five attempts against Seppi, and sets up a semifinal clash with surprise semifinalist Attila Balazs.

Balazs, contesting his first ATP main draw and currently ranked 450, shocked Xavier Malisse in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.