Monfils a finalist at Vienna tennis event

VIENNA, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Gael Monfils of France and Germany's Philipp Petzschner won their semifinal matches Saturday at the Bank Austria Tennis Trophy tennis tournament in Vienna.

Monfils the event's eight seed, topped Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-2), while Petzschner rallied to beat 2004 champion Feliciano Lopez of Spain 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

After blowing a 40-0 lead while serving for the match at 6-5 in the third set, Monfils quickly established control in the tiebreaker by capturing the first four points. Petzschner squandered three break points in the first set, but can avenge a quarterfinal loss to Monfils at the Thailand Open in Bangkok two weeks ago.

Sunday's Monfils-Petzschner winner will earn a $185,000 champion's check.

Before this tournament, Petzschner's singles record was just 5-8 this season.