Croatian tennis player Marin Cilic has reached the Istanbul Open semi-final. Cilic didn't have many problems against Belgium's Steve Darcis in Friday's quarter-final matchup. The Croatian lost just two games on his way to defeating the world number 49 -- 6-1 6-1. 2014 Us Open champion Cilic was dominant on his serve. He won 18-of-20 of his first serve points and 10-of-12 of the points played behind his second serve. The second seed from Croatia converted each of his five break-point chances in the match. It took just 45 minutes for the clash to conclude.
Cilic now has a 2-0 head-to-head record over 33-year-old Darcis.
The defending champion keeps on winning in Istanbul
2016 Istanbul Open champion Diego Schwartzman has reached back-to-back Istanbul semi-finals. The tennis player from Argentina defeated Serbia's Dusan Lajovic in a two-set battle 7-5 6-2. The number three seed broke the serve of the Serb six times during the match. World number 84 Lajovic did manage to convert 3-of-7 of his break point tries, but it wasn't enough. The match ended after 1 hour and 32 minutes. The two players are now tied at 1-1 when it comes to their head-to-head record.
Both players yet to reach ATP singles final in 2017
It's all set for a semi-final meeting between Marin Cilic and Schwartzman in Istanbul on Saturday.
The two have never played against each other before at the ATP level. Both players are hoping to land their first ATP singles titles of this season this week at the Turkish event.
A tough one in Munich
Alexander Zverev has made the semi-final of Munich after surviving a tough encounter on Friday. The German succeeded over fellow countryman Jan-Lennard Struff for the second time in as many meetings between the two at the ATP level.
The world number 20 defeated the 27-year-old in a three-set battle 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (5). Third-seeded Zverev fired 12 aces in two hours and 13 minutes spent on the court. The 20-year-old broke Struff once during the match and lost his serve twice.
Another tough task awaits Zverev
Spain's Roberto Bautista-Agut will also be featured in the ATP Munich semi-final.
The tournament's second seed ousted local qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets 6-3 6-3. The Spaniard converted 3-of-10 of his break point opportunities while dropping no service games to the qualifier in an hour and seven minutes of play.
Bautista-Agut will be facing Alexander Zverev. The 29-year-old has picked up two wins and zero losses over Zverev thus far in his career. Zverev, who lost in the last-four stage in Munich last year to Dominic Thiem, will certainly be looking to advance further this time around.
