Robin Haase reacts after a shot during the French Open. Photo by David Silpa/UPI |
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Sixth-seeded Robin Haase ended top-seeded Belgian David Goffin's bid for a third straight ATP title on Friday by posting a 7-5, 6-1 victory in the quarterfinals of the Safra Sarasin Swiss Open Gstaad in Gstaad, Switzerland.
Haase made his move with the first set tied at 5, winning the next seven games before wrapping up the match in 81 minutes. The Dutchman's victory was his first in four career encounters against Goffin.
"Today it was a bit more windy and we were both a bit nervous at the beginning," Haase said. "I really enjoy the conditions here and I'm happy to be back in the semifinals."
Haase, who advanced to the tournament finals in both 2013 and 2016, will face Yannick Hanfmann. The German qualifier overcame failing to record two set point opportunities in the first set to oust eighth-seeded Portuguese star Joao Sousa 6-7 (10), 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 56 minutes.
Hanfmann was unable to secure the first set despite having advantages of 7-6 and 9-8 in the tiebreak. He regained his form and won a three-set match for the second time in as many days on the heels of stunning defending champion Feliciano Lopez with a 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-1 victory.
Second-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut improved to 31-12 on the season with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.
"Today, the conditions were a bit faster than the other days and Denis played aggressively," Bautista Agut said. "I will prepare and rest well for tomorrow."
Bautista Agut will face fourth-seeded Italian Fabio Fognini, who notched a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win over Latvian Ernests Gulbis.