ATP: Titleholder Lucas Pouille first semi-finalist in Stuttgart

Defending champion Lucas Pouille has reached the semi-finals of the ATP tournament in Stuttgart. The Frenchman, who is ranked second, won against the world rankings-100, Denis Istomin (Uzbekistan) 6:4, 6:7 (5:7), 6:3.

In the round of the best four, the 24-year-old, who has been advised by former German professional Tommy Haas since the beginning of the year, will meet Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic (No. 3) or Milos Raonic (Canada/No. 7).

In the Mercedes Cup, which is endowed with 729,340 Euro, record Grand Slam winner Roger Federer (Switzerland/No. 1) will also meet the Argentinian Guido Pella in the round of the last eight. Federer won the only duel with the world ranking-75. 2016 in Wimbledon in three sets. On his way to his ninth Wimbledon title, Federer could replace French Open winner Raphael Nadal (Spain) at the top of the world rankings with his first final appearance in Stuttgart.

Nick Kyrgios (Australia/No. 4) and last year’s finalist Feliciano Lopez (Spain/No. 8) are also fighting for a place in the semi-finals. The seven German participants have already been eliminated from the tournament at the start of the grass court season.

Here the single tableau in Stuttgart