MESTRE, May 20, 2016

Three of the four top-favourites found their way into the semi-finals of the €42,500 XIV Venice Challenger Save Cup on Friday.

Top seed Paolo Lorenzi had to go the distance for the third time in as many matches this week to overcome Dennis Novak 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. The world number 50 from Italy only won 89 of the total 181 points played but capitalized on all of his three break point chances to prevail in two hours and 10 minutes.

Lorenzi will face the tournament’s number four Gastao Elias next. The 25-year-old Portuguese defeated Mestre native Matteo Viola 6-2, 6-4, hitting five aces to finish the encounter after one hour and 37 minutes.

Third seed Horacio Zeballos ended the winning streak of Italian wild card Gianluca Mager with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. The 31-year-old Argentine withstood seven aces, smashing six of his own to advance in one hour and 22 minutes. Zeballos will take on Joris de Loore, who knocked out second favourite Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4. The world number 285 from Belgium won 65% of his first service points and converted four of his seven break point opportunities to reach the stage of the final in one hour and 22 minutes.