BARLETTA, April 14, 2017

The semi-finals of the €43,000 Citta’ Della Disfida Open are set with the tournament’s two top seeds making their way into the stage of the final four in Barletta.

Number one seed Gastao Elias defeated Belgian alternative Kimmer Coppejans 7-5, 6-3 on Friday. The World No. 97 from Portugal saved 13 of the 17 break points he faced, converting six of his own to secure victory in one hour and 57 minutes.

Next up for Elias will be Lorenzo Giustino. The 25-year-old Italian beat seventh seed Maximilian Marterer of Germany 6-3, 6-2. Giustino won 58 points of the total 100 points played to prevail in one hour and 14 minutes.

Aljaz Bedene extended his winning streak on the ATP Challenger Tour to eight matches. The second seed from Great Britain, who captured the title of the Verrazzano Open in Sophia Antipolis last Sunday, cruised past Italian Marco Cecchinato, winning 6-2, 6-1.  Bedene saved both break points he faced, capitalizing on five of his own opportunities to advance in 66 minutes.

The Ljubljana native will next take on Lukas Rosol. The 31-year-old from the Czech Republic fired eight aces, winning 79 per cent of his first service points to clinch a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over fourth seed Alessandro Giannessi of Italy. The encounter lasted one hour and 41 minutes.