GENOVA, September 11, 2015

The semi-finals of the € 106,500 AON Open Challenger in Genova are set with the top favourites making it to the final four.

First-seed Albert Ramos defeated Salvatore Caruso, winning 6-4, 6-4. The defending champion from Spain won 61% of his first service points and capitalized on six of his 11 break points to seal victory in one hour and 29 minutes.

Ramos will face Marco Cecchinato another Italian in the semi-finals. The fifth seed from Palermo led 6-3, 2-1 in his encounter against fellow countryman Filippo Volandri, before the 34-year-old was forced to retire due to physical problems. The match lasted 56 minutes.

Former world number 9 Nicolas Almagro (photo: Paolo Cresta)

The tournament’s number seven Nicolas Almagro cruised past Tomislav Brkic, beating the Bosnian 6-2, 6-2 in only 63 minutes. The world number 114 from Spain hit five aces and converted five of his six break chances.

Almagro will take on Robin Haase next. The second seeded Dutch defeated Andrey Golubev, winning 6-3, 7-6. Haase won 69% of his first service points and converted five of his 16 break points to prevail in one hour and 46 minutes.