MONTERREY, October 6, 2018

The semi-finals of the Abierto GNP Seguros are set. Ernesto Escobedo knocked out top seed Marcel Granollers of Spain 7-6(5), 7-6(4) on Friday evening.

The 22-year-old US-American struck seven aces, winning 80 per cent of his first service points to seal victory in one hour and 42 minutes. Up next for Escobedo will be David Ferrer, who eased past Austrian Sebastian Ofner 6-3, 6-2.

Onto the semis in Monterrey 🔜 2016 champ Ernesto Escobedo

Upsets top seed Marcel Granollers 76(5) 76(4)

First Top 100 win since @BNPPARIBASOPEN in March pic.twitter.com/hGoc1pLpvd

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) 6. Oktober 2018

Ivo Karlovic defeated Bjorn Fratangelo from the United States 6-4, 6-3. The No. 5 seed from Croatia broke his opponent’s serve two times to advance in one hour and 10 minutes. Karlovic will next take on Santiago Giraldo of Colombia, who rallied past seventh favourite Gerald Melzer of Austria 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-3. The encounter lasted two hours and 21 minutes.