Andreev, Ferrero through to meet in Casablanca semifinals

CASABLANCA, Morocco -- Top-seeded Igor Andreev of Russia defeated Marc Gicquel of France 6-1, 6-3 Friday to reach the semifinals of the Grand Prix Hassan II.

Andreev converted four of eight breakpoints and lost only five points on serve, sealing the clay-court match with an ace.

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"I tried to play quick points, and it definitely gave me good results today," Andreev said.

He will play 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, who defeated fourth-seeded Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-3, 7-5.

"Andreev is so powerful on clay. He's playing good. I think the favorite is Igor," said Ferrero, a former No. 1 who is ranked 115th.

Third-seeded Albert Montanes of Spain edged Frederico Gil of Portugal 7-6 (5), 6-4, and No. 5 Florent Serra of France downed Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia 6-0, 6-4.