Montanes upsets top-seeded Hrbaty to reach Casablanca semis

CASABLANCA, Morocco -- Albert Montanes upset top-seeded Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 Friday to reach the semifinals at the Grand Prix Hassan II and stay on course for his first career title.

The Spaniard, who has lost in three career ATP finals, plays Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo of Spain in the semifinals.

Ramirez Hidalgo outlasted France's Sebastien Grosjean 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) and is now one win away from his first singles final.

Also, Paul-Henri Mathieu upset second-seeded Jose Acasuso 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

The eighth-seeded Frenchman broke Acasuso four times in the match. He won 61 percent of second-serve points compared to 42 percent for his Argentine opponent.

Mathieu will next play fifth-seeded Marc Gicquel of France, who rallied to beat No. 3 Julien Benneteau 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.