MOKL: Unseeded Becker up against Ferrer in semis

Unseeded Benjamin Becker sprang a surprise by defeating fourth seed, Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov to meet world number eight David Ferrer in the semifinals of the Malaysian Open Tennis Championship.

In the quarter-finals at the Putra Indoor Stadium in Bukit Jalil here Friday, the 34-year-old Canadian, ranked 74th, beat Dimitrov who is currently 18th in the world 6-4 and 7-6(3) in one hour 35 minutes.

Ferrer beat Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3 and 6-4 in his quarterfinal match.

"He (Dimitrov) is a great player, very talented. I knew would be tough against him. The first set I think I did well and had a little bit of luck in second set. I think it was a good performance for me," said Becker.

Meanwhile, Ferrer admitted that Becker had played well in the MOKL tournament this season and he was expecting a good game in the semifinal.

In another quarterfinal match, Nick Kyrgios of Australia defeated third seeded Ivo Karlovic of Croatia in a dramatic match, winning in 7-6(4) and 7-6(2) to set up a meeting with Feliciano Lopez of Spain.

Earlier this year, the MOKL second seed Lopez had edged Kyrgios in the first round of ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Rome in May.

"It feels really good to be in the semifinal. I knew today was going to be really tough but it was a fun match against Karlovic. It's always good to get three points, I'm just trying to get the best I can.

"It was good that I finished off with two aces. The fact that Karlovic lost to me, once, it definitely helped me. Knowing that I could beat Karlovic, gives me added confidence," said Kyrgios.

Meanwhile, Lopez, ranked 16th, was made to work before defeating Vasek Pospisil of Canada 6-7(2), 6-3 and 6-2 in two hours.

"I think I played better compared to yesterday. I wasn't so confident but today I have improved my game. Even though I lost in the first set, I was getting better. I'm pretty happy I was able to break him three times.

"Semifinal with Kyrgios, it will be tough... he's an aggressive player, I have to watch out for his forehand. Of course I'll try to be aggressive on the court and put some pressure," said Lopez.

The 34-years-old Lopez said it will be an exciting match to play against one of the young gund like Kyrgios.

In men's doubles, Czech Republic's Frantisek Cermak/Radek Stepanek moved to semifinals after they got an easy win over third seeded pair Eric Butorac/Scott Lipsky of the United States.

Cermak/Stepanek will meet top seeded pair Russian Raven Klaasen/Rajeev Ram of United States in their semifinal match Saturday.

The winners will meet Treat Huey of Philippines/Henri Kontinen of Finland on Sunday, after Huey/Kontinen defeated Andre Begemann of Germany/Artem Sitak of New Zealand, 6-7(2), 7-6(2) and 10-7 in their semifinal match Friday.