Monaco stuns Robredo to reach Austrian semis

KITZBUEHEL, Austria, July 27 (Reuters) Argentine fifth seed Juan Monaco upset Spanish top seed Tommy Robredo 6-2 2-6 6-2 today to reach the semi-finals of the Austrian Open.

Robredo, the world number seven, began strongly, breaking Monaco early in the first set to go 2-1 up with serve.

He then lost the next five games as the Argentine world number 32 rallied impressively with a series of strong returns and aggressive ground strokes.

Robredo seemed to regain control with a commanding second set performance but Monaco then stormed ahead with another five-game winning streak. The Spanish favourite clung on a while longer but was unable to turn the match around.

''I knew Robredo would be the favourite and I know he likes to fight so I tried to be aggressive and go to the net as often as possible,'' said Monaco who has already won two tournaments this season, including another Austrian claycourt event in Poertschach.

Monaco will take on 11th seed Fernando Verdasco for a place in the final after the Spaniard saw off unseeded Argentine Sergio Roitman 7-6 3-6 6-3.

Defending champion and fellow Argentine Agustin Calleri made it through to the last four with a 7-6 6-1 win over Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti.

The second set was little more than a formality with Calleri dropping just three points on serve and breaking Lapentti three times.

Calleri is now due to take on 10th seed Potito Starace for a place in Sunday's final. Starace came from behind to win his all-Italian quarter-final match-up with unseeded Andreas Seppi 1-6 7-5 7-6.

Reuters BJR VP0103