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Shenzhen, China (SportsNetwork.com) – Two-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray was a straight-set quarterfinal winner Friday at the inaugural Shenzhen Open tennis event.
The second-seeded British star, still seeking his first title since winning the championship at Wimbledon last year, handled Slovak Lukas Lacko 6-3, 7-5 on the hardcourts at Shenzhen Longgang Tennis Center.
Murray’s semifinal opponent on Saturday will be former top-10 Argentine Juan Monaco, who posted an upset by ousting third-seeded French star Richard Gasquet 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 on Day 5.
Two other quarterfinal results saw fourth-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo outlast eighth-seeded Italian Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3 and sixth- seeded Colombian Santiago Giraldo subdue Serbian qualifier Viktor Troicki 7-6 (8-6), 6-3. Troicki recently returned to the ATP Tour following a doping suspension.
“It was tough, the conditions were difficult, very humid and very hot,” Robredo said after beating Seppi. “I think I played a good match. I’m happy I’m in the semifinals and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
Saturday’s other semi will pit Robredo against Giraldo.
The first-ever Shenzhen titlist will earn $106,970.