MONTPELLIER, France — Defending champion Richard Gasquet of France defeated Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-4, 6-4 to reach the Open Sud de France semifinals on Friday.
The top-seeded Gasquet, who is ranked 10th, took control of the first set — where he did not face a break point and secured a break of serve.
Baghdatis, an Australian Open runner-up in 2006 and Wimbledon semifinalist later that year, did better in the second set. But the 30-year-old, now ranked 53rd, could only convert one of his six chances on Gasquet's serve, while Gasquet took both of his.
"It's always delicate to play against a very good player who you've never beaten before, but I played a solid match," Gasquet said.