MOSCOW, April 14 (RIA Novosti) - Former world No.1 tennis player Marat Safin, who recently recovered from a long-term knee injury, advanced to the semifinals of the $410,000 IV Open de Tenis Comunidad Valenciana on Friday.
Unseeded Safin, currently 50th in the ATP rankings, defeated 2nd seeded Gaston Gaudio of Argentina in the quarterfinals, 6:4, 6:4, in just 1h 21min.
Last weekend Safin contributed to Russia's victory over France by defeating Richard Gasquet in the opening rubber of the five-rubber quarterfinal tie of the Davis Cup, held in Pau, France.
Experts consider Safin the favorite in the Saturday's semifinals match against Spain's Nicolas Almagro, who advanced to the main draw through qualification phase.
