After coming into the Winston-Salem Open at a career-high of No. 23 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Botic van de Zandschulp is knocking on the door of the Prime 20 behind his third tour-level semi-final run of the season.

The second-seeded Dutchman defeated France’s Benjamin Bonzi 7-6(6), 7-6(1) to increase his sturdy debut on the North Carolina ATP 250 occasion, bettering to 6-0 in units on the week. Already as much as No. 22 within the Pepperstone ATP Stay Rankings, he’ll rise to No. 19 if he can win his first ATP Tour title on Saturday.

“It has been a rollercoaster of a season, making such a soar within the rankings, taking part in totally different tournaments, taking part in all the massive tournaments,” mentioned the 26-year-old, who broke into the Prime 100 for the primary time following his run to the US Open quarter-finals final 12 months. “It is each time a primary time, and it is also my first time right here in Winston-Salem and for now I am nonetheless loving it,” he added with a smile.

Van de Zandschulp battled again from 1/4 right down to win the opening tie-break however dominated the second tie-break as he raised his stage within the essential moments. Bonzi did little incorrect however couldn’t address the numerous assault from the Dutchman, who completed a 15-ace efficiency with an unreturned serve on match level.

“I performed an unbelievable breaker,” he mentioned of his success down the stretch in opposition to the tenth seed. “I feel we each served nice immediately, we each performed an excellent match and we performed a excessive stage. I am actually pleased with the win.”

After a gap set that didn’t embody a break level, van de Zandschulp recovered an early break within the second after saving two break factors to carry for 2-3 and keep away from going a double break behind. He received the primary 5 factors of the second tie-break as he wrapped up the win in simply over two hours.

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One other Frenchman awaits within the semi-finals after Adrian Mannarino’s upset of fourth seed Maxime Cressy. In a 6-4, 7-6(3) victory, Mannarino broke the American’s serve within the opening sport of each units however discovered himself stage at 3-3 within the second after dropping serve on the lone break level in opposition to him within the 92-minute match.

Now 18-12 on laborious courts this season, the Frenchman was taking part in in his fifth quarter-final of the 12 months and superior to his second semi-final (‘s-Hertogenbosch). He has overwhelmed three seeds this week, knocking off ninth seed Emil Ruusuvuori and eighth seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas prior to now two rounds.

Within the Winston-Salem night session, Richard Gasquet takes on Laslo Djere earlier than Jack Draper meets Marc-Andrea Huesler.