Lorenzi shocks Monaco in Brazil

Paolo Lorenzi is through to the semi-finals of the the Brasil Open after a shock three-set victory over fourth seed Juan Monaco.

The 32-year-old Italian, who would certainly fit into the category of a journeyman player having failed to win an ATP tournament in 10 years as a professional, took the first set on a tie-break.

But his Argentinian opponent roared back to level affairs and set up a decider in South America.

However, Lorenzi refused to buckle and managed to secure a 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 triumph to reach his first ever ATP World Tour semi-final.

The Rome-born veteran will now face a tougher task to reach his first final as veteran Tommy Haas is waiting in the last four.

The German was also taken to three sets by Argentina's Horacio Zeballos but eventually advanced with a 6-3 5-7 6-2 victory.

The other semi-final will be an all-South American affair with Zeballos' compatriot Federico Del Bonis beating Spain's Albert Montanes 6-4 6-3 to set up a meeting with Brazilian Thomaz Belluci, who downed wildcard Martin Klizan 6-3 6-3.

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