CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) Third-seeded Jiri Vesely easily advanced to the semifinals of the Grand Prix Hassan II with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Aljaz Bedene on Friday.
The 21-year-old Czech player, who is regarded as a future star of the game, saved the two break points he faced and broke his opponent's serve three times.
Vezely, who lost seven straight matches before starting his campaign at the clay-court event, will be up against Daniel Gimeno-Traver in the next round. The Spaniard dropped only six points on his first serve to dispatch Lamine Ouahab 6-4, 6-3.
Spaniard Nicola Almagro was denied a 250th career win on his favorite surface, losing 6-4, 7-6 (3) to second-seeded Martin Klizan.
''I feel great, it was a very good match today,'' said Klizan. ''I was very focused during every point and I'm very proud of this victory against Almagro. I always play well in Morocco. I spend a lot of time here playing tournaments.''
Klizan will next take on Damir Dzumhur, who made light work of sixth-seeded Andreas Haider-Maurer 6-3, 6-3 to reach his first Tour semifinal.