Gasquet advances to Mercedes semis

STUTTGART, Germany, July 11 (UPI) -- Twenty-two-year-old Richard Gasquet of France, the No. 2 seed, won in straight sets Friday to reach the semifinals of the Mercedes Cup at Stuttgart, Germany.

Gasquet battled to a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) victory over Albert Montanes of Spain to make it into the semifinal round for the first time this year.

Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro eliminated German Philipp Kohschreiber 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 in another quarterfinal match.

Gasquet takes on Agustin Calleri of Argentina, who ousted German Michael Berrer 6-4, 6-2, in the semis Saturday.

In the other bracket, Del Potro goes against countryman Eduardo Schwank, who topped Czech Jan Hernych 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.