• ATP Tour

Kohlschreiber stuns Cilic in Metz

Marin Cilic was felled by Phillip Kohlschreiber © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Profile: Marin Cilic | Albert Montanes

Philipp Kohlschreiber sent shockwaves rippling through the Open de Moselle when he brushed aside top seed Marin Cilic with a minimum of fuss at the quarter-final stage.

World No. 14 Cilic has enjoyed a successful year - winning two titles and reaching the Australian Open semi-final - but he offered little resistance as Kohlschreiber notched up a 6-4 6-1 triumph in 79 minutes.

The German appears to have worked out a strategy to nullify Cilic's threat - this was Kohlschreiber's fourth win in six attempts against his Croatian opponent.

In truth, Cilic contributed to his own downfall by landing less than 50% of his first serves in the box - and, with his most lethal weapon misfiring, Kohlschreiber was able to take advantage and secure a semi-final spot.

He now moves on to face No. 8 seed Gilles Simon, who denied Xavier Malisse a third semi of 2010 by winning 7-5 4-6 6-1 in a match characterised by violent shifts in momentum between the two players. Simon appeared to be on the ropes after the second set - his first-serve percentage slipped to 46% - but he snapped himself out of his slumber to storm to victory with two breaks in the final set.

Elsewhere, Mischa Zverev reached his first semi since February by easing past Jarkko Nieminen 7-6(0) 6-3 , displaying a ruthless efficiency with his return game to win 13 of 21 points on the Finn's second serve. He will next take on Richard Gasquet, who sneaked past Tommy Robredo 7-6 7-6.

At the Bucharest Open, Marcel Granollers claimed another high-profile scalp - having already felled Victor Hanescu - by sending third seed Potito Starace tumbling out 3-6 7-6 6-4. He now moves on to face Pablo Andujar, who sealed a 6-4 6-4 triumph over Pablo Cuevas.

Meanwhile, Juan Ignacio Chela made short work of Bjorn Phau in the first meeting between the players, triumphing 6-3 6-3 in 80 minutes to set up a semi against defending champion Albert Montanes.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.