Kiefer books Chardy date

Nicolas Kiefer marched into the semi finals of the Stuttgart Open with a 6-2 6-1 demolition on Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot.

German continues to sparkle in Stuttgart

Nicolas Kiefer marched into the semi finals of the Stuttgart Open with a 6-2 6-1 demolition on Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot on Saturday. Awaiting the local favourite in the last four is Frenchman Jeremy Chardy after he ousted Germany's Mischa Zverev 7-6 6-1. Kiefer, who has not won a singles title in nine years, and Chardy will play their semi-final later on Saturday after heavy rain forced the postponement of their quarter-finals the previous day. Kiefer, 32, had little trouble against Kubot, ranked 127 in the world, powering through the first set in just 33 minutes. Rain interrupted play after the first game in the second set but the 40-minute break failed to halt the world number 40 who romped into a 5-0 lead before reaching his first semi-final of the season in 63 minutes. World number 43 Chardy was made to work hard in the first set of his last eight clash with left-hander Zverev before prevailing in the tie-break 7-4. Two quick breaks in the second then proved decisive as the 22-year-old Frenchman eased past the world number 45.