NOUMÉA, January 4, 2018

The semi-finals at the $75,000 Internationeaux BNP Paribas are set with two Frenchmen and two US-Americans getting into the stage of the final four in Nouméa.

Second seed Taylor Fritz fought past German qualifier Tim Pütz 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. The 20-year-old from California sent down seven aces, winning 83 per cent of his first service points to prevail after one hour and 41 minutes.

Fritz will next face Gleb Sakharov. The sixth favourite beat the tournament’s number four Casper Ruud of Norway 7-5, 6-4. Sakharov, who captured two ITF Pro Circuit titles on home soil in France last year, converted three of his four break points to advance in one hour and 57 minutes.

Kenny de Schepper saved the only break point he faced, capitalizing on two of his own to secure a 6-4, 6-4 victory over third seeded Briton Cameron Norrie. The World No. 158 from Toulouse will next take on Noah Rubin, who rallied past fifth seed Corentin Moutet of France 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. The encounter lasted two hours and 16 minutes.

In Friday’s doubles final top seeds Hugo Nys from France and Germany’s Tim Pütz will take on Alejandro Gonzalez from Colombia and Spanish youngster Jaume Munar.