Valencia Open 500 2015: Friday Tennis Scores, Results and Updated Draw Schedule
Steve Johnson cruised into the semi-final of the Valencia Open 500, beating one of the last seeds in the tournament with a 7-5, 6-4 defeat of Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.
Johnson will now meet Garcia-Lopez's compatriot Roberto Bautista-Agut, who defeated Mischa Zverev in the final match of the day, 6-4, 6-3.
Vasek Pospisil made easy work of qualifier Daniel Brands of Germany. The Canadian swept to victory over the German in a simple 6-3, 6-3 win.
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Portugal's Joao Sousa will now take on Pospisil in the semis after beating Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas, grabbing a 6-4, 6-4 victory against his opponent.
Read on for Friday's confirmed results and Saturday's semi-final fixtures:
| (7) Roberto Bautista-Agut bt. (Q) Mischa Zverev | 6-4, 6-3 |
| Vasek Pospisil bt. (Q) Daniel Brands | 6-3, 6-3 |
| Joao Sousa bt. Pablo Cuevas | 6-4, 6-4 |
| Steve Johnson bt. (6) Guillermo Garcia-Lopez | 7-5, 6-4 |
| 3 p.m GMT/11 a.m ET | Vasek Pospisil vs. Joao Sousa |
| 3 p.m GMT/11 a.m ET | Steve Johnson vs. (7) Roberto Bautista-Agut |
Friday's Quarter-Final Recap
American Johnson continued his hot streak on the hard courts of Valencia, romping away from No. 6 seed Garcia-Lopez in style.
Johnson always had the tie under control, keeping the world No. 91 within reach and continually pressurising the 32-year-old home favourite.
Johnson served seven aces in the first set, according to the ATP World Tour website and won 68 per cent of points on his service, destabilising Garcia-Lopez's efforts to stay in the match.
The second set followed suit, as Johnson forced his opponent to face a host of break points, with the American taking the match 7-5, 6-4.
Tennis statistician Greg Sharko highlighted Johnson's excellent run of form:
Pospisil had no issues in his match as he faced qualifier Brands, who is ranked No. 170 in the world.
The German couldn't live with his more rounded opponent, double-faulting five times in the match to continually let in the Canadian, per the ATP.
Pospisil wrapped up the contest with consummate ease, striding into the last-four of the competition, 6-3, 6-3.
It was also a good day at the office for Sousa, taking a solid win against Cueva.
The Portuguese player knocked out No. 5 seed Benoit Paire in the previous round, and he made no mistake against the world No. 33 from Uruguay.
Cueva forced six break points on Sousa in the match, per the ATP, but the eventual winner saved each one and scored a 6-4, 6-4 victory to seal his progression.
Bautista-Agut claimed the final place in the last-four, as the home crowd were given something to cheer for as he overcame qualifier Zverev.
Bautista-Agut hit consistently, landing 75 per cent of his first serves, per the ATP, and keeping the German outside and in trouble throughout the contest.
The Spaniard made sure he remains the final seed in the competition, cantering home 6-4, 6-3—ensuring all of the day's winners didn't drop a single set to their defeated foes.
Johnson is the class act left in the competition, and his form dictates he is in with a great chance of glory.
The world No. 33 has moved 14 places up the global rankings and is playing his most electric tennis of the year.
Pospisil and Sousa can produce a similar standard to Johnson when they are on their best game, but the American looks a cut above the rest as he tries to dominate yet another ATP event.
However, the home support will be key for Bautista-Agut, who could shock Johnson in their semi-final encounter.
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