ISTANBUL — Roger Federer was given a fright before reaching the semi-final of the inaugural Istanbul Open on Friday, eventually beating Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver 7-6(3) 6-7(5) 6-3.
The Swiss world number two, the top draw at the new claycourt event, needed two hours 28 minutes to set up a semi-final against eighth seed Diego Schwartzman.
Argentine Schwartzman won only seven points in a dreadful opening set against Colombia's fourth seed Santiago Giraldo but triumphed 0-6 6-2 6-2.
Second seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dmitrov eased into the semis with a straightforward defeat of Croatian Ivan Dodig and will face Pablo Cuevas on Saturday.