SAN LUIS POTOSI, March 26, 2016

Albert Montanes is the last seeded player left in the draw of the $50,000 San Luis Open Challenger after quarterfinals Friday in Mexico.

The tournament’s number two from Spain overcame Mohamed Safwat with a 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 win. Montanes withstood eight aces from his opponent, hitting four of his own to prevail in exactly two hours of play. The world number 129 will take on Pedja Krstin in his first semi-final since Casablanca Challenger in October last year. Krstin defeated Brazilian qualifier Caio Zampieri 7-6, 6-3, winning 85% of his first service points. The match lasted only 49 minutes.

Federico Gaio (photo: Sebastián Escorza Vázquez)

World number 291 Marcelo Arevalo upset third seed Andre Ghem 6-3, 7-6. The qualifier from El Salvador saved all four break points he faced, converting one of his own to advance to reach the stage of the final four for the first time since Pereira Challenger last October after one hour and 20 minutes. Arevalo will face Federico Gaio, who knocked out seventh favourite Hans Podlipnik-Castillo 6-4, 6-1. The 24-year-old Italian sent down five aces and capitalized on four of his five break point chances to secure victory in 74 minutes.