Title-holder Tommy Haas was made to work before defeating Italian Andreas Seppi 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 on Friday to qualify for the Munich ATP tournament semi-finals.
The 36-year-old second seed spent almost two hours on court before finally seeing off the world No. 33 in their quarter-final tie on the clay in Germany.
The world No. 16 is to next face Slovakia’s Martin Klizan, who despatched Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 6-1.
“I’m delighted to have won the key points in the important moments,” said Haas, who was playing only his second match since a six-week break due to a shoulder injury.
Haas produced a brilliant sequence of backhand, forehand and then winning volley to earn the decisive break in the first set before his form deserted him in the second as his unforced error count mounted.
After an exchange of breaks, Haas broke for the fourth time in the match to lead 5-3 in the deciding set and then sealed the win with his first match point.
The native of Hamburg said afterward that his shoulder was still causing him problems.
“It will be another difficult match against Klizan, who is feeling confident after winning six matches here,” said Haas, a former world No. 2.
His only previous clash with Klizan, who came though qualifying in Munich, was a two-set victory in Hamburg in 2012.
The other semi-final is scheduled to be played between top-seeded Italian Fabio Fognini and German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff.
Fognini eased past Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, while Struff defeated Ricardis Berankis of Lithuania 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
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