MONTPELLIER, France (AP)—Top-seeded Richard Gasquet of France was hardly troubled by countryman Albano Olivetti as he won 6-4, 6-2 on Friday to reach the Open Sud de France semifinals and stay on course to defend his title.
Although Olivetti, a qualifier, had 13 aces, he failed to force a single break-point chance on Gasquet's serve and lost his own three times.
Gasquet next plays third-seeded Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, who won had 18 aces in a 6-2, 6-4 win against seventh-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France.
No. 5 Gael Monfils of France advanced after beating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-4, 6-4 and next plays No. 6 Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, who won 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) against Marc Gicquel of France.
The 36-year-old Gicquel missed five break-point chances in the deciding set.