Fernando Verdasco clinched his first victory over Gael Monfils 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semi-finals on Thursday.

Fourth seed Monfils had won their previous three FedEx ATP Head2Head encounters, but the 33 year old, also a semi-finalist in Doha this season (l. Djokovic), won 81 per cent of first serve points to dictate play.

The Spaniard led 6-3, 5-3 before a rain delay on Monfils’ serve. Upon resumption, the World No. 12 broke to level the second set, before Verdasco claimed the last six points to serve out victory at the second attempt and to edge into the final four.

“I think I played almost the perfect match. Maybe I could have been a little bit more aggressive on my serve, but it was not easy after the rain delay,” said Verdasco. “Gael makes it difficult, he’s a super-solid player. I’m very happy to be here, and I will try my best to win one more match and to be in the final.”

Watch Hot Shot: Dzumhur Never Gives Up

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He will meet Robin Haase, who booked a spot in the first ATP World Tour 500 semi-final of his career after he beat Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in one hour and 51 minutes. The Dutchman is through to the last four of a tour-level event for the first time since July 2016, when he advanced to the J. Safra Sarasin Swiss Open Gstaad final (l. to Lopez).

World No. 1 Andy Murray, who lost to seven-time Dubai champion Roger Federer in the 2012 final, takes on Philipp Kohlschreiber in the night session. Seventh seed Lucas Pouille meets Federer’s conqueror, qualifier Evgeny Donskoy, in the final match of day four.

Two-time champion Rafael Nadal looked as if he might be ready to add a third title to his trophy case on Wednesday evening at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco. The Spaniard breezed past Italian Paolo Lorenzi, needing only 66 minutes to take their second-round match 6-1, 6-1.

Nadal broke five times and dropped only seven points on his serve (28/35) as Lorenzi couldn’t keep up with the second seed. Nadal never faced a break point in improving to 4-0 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.

The left-hander will meet #NextGenATP player Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan, who outlasted Aussie Jordan Thompson 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 for his second consecutive three-set win in Acapulco. The Japanese had battled past seventh seed Jack Sock in three sets in the first round.

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Croatian Marin Cilic was pushed to three sets as well but he remained unbeaten against his younger compatriot Borna Coric. The third-seeded Cilic advanced past the 20-year-old Coric 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 to move to 4-0 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.

Cilic hit 12 aces and won 77 per cent of his first-serve points against the #NextGenATP player. The 28-year-old Cilic converted only three of his 12 break points but he was a perfect two-for-two when it mattered most, in the third set.

Cilic will face American Steve Johnson in the quarter-finals. Johnson beat countryman Ernesto Escobedo 7-6(5), 6-3. In other action, American Sam Querrey made quick work of fifth seed David Goffin, upsetting the Belgian 6-2, 6-3 in 69 minutes. Querrey lost only four points on his first serve (23/27). Sixth seed Nick Kyrgios also moved into the quarter-finals, advancing past American Donald Young 6-2, 6-4.

Russian Evgeny Donskoy has caused quite the stir. The World No. 116 defied his Emirates ATP Ranking to save three match points and rally back from 5-1 down in the third set tie-break to prevail against seven-time winner Roger Federer at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Wednesday.

A career-high ranking of No. 65 (July 2013) proves his potential, alongside nine ATP Challenger Tour titles. Working his way back up the rankings, Donskoy possesses the hunger for the fight, qualifying for main draws in Rotterdam and Marseille last month.

Here are five things you need to know about the 26 year old, who has qualified for three tournaments from five attempts in 2017.

1. Youzhny The Mentor

Countryman Mikhail Youzhny lost to Donskoy in qualifying in Rotterdam earlier this month and also in the first round in Dubai. However, the Russian veteran is keen to see Donskoy’s career flourish.

The duo shares the same coach, Boris Sobkin, who is absent in the United Arab Emirates this week. Youzhny has stepped in, watching on during the Federer triumph.

“It’s my friend who is helping me. Mikhail Youzhny,” joked Donskoy. “When I was down outside 200 in the rankings, he was saying to his coach, ‘I want to help this guy.’ He started to help me, I got injured last season, and I’m out trying to play better again.

“He’s just a nice person, who is trying to do something for me. He’s just saying to me, ‘If you need any help, just let me know.’ That’s it.”

2. The Safin Influence

Former World No.1 Marat Safin used to provide “unreal assistance” to help Donskoy during his junior years: introducing him to coaches, helping to find academies and to provide tactical advice prior to matches. However, Moscow native Donskoy is determined to carve out his own legacy.

“When I young, I loved Russian players, like Marat Safin and (Yevgeny) Kafelnikov, but they were never my idols. I’m different. Roger (Federer), everybody loves him, but they don’t have to be your idol to understand that he’s an unbelievable player.”

3. Match Point Drama

Not only did he manage to fight off three match points to beat Federer, Donskoy also saved two match points to beat David Ferrer in the Rio Olympics last summer.

However, in 2016 the 26-year-old lost four matches after holding at least one match point. By experiencing both sides of the match point fortunes, the Russian hopes such experiences mean that he is better equipped to deal with pressure.

“It is about keeping it simple. This is tennis, so many matches are won from being at match point. You have to fight.

“The guys who were with me today, my girlfriend is here too, they were telling me move your legs, try in every point. That’s what I had in my mind. Without my team, I wouldn’t have been able to win.”

4. 100 Per Cent Record Vs Roger

Donskoy holds a rare unbeaten record against Roger Federer, who has spent more weeks at World No. 1 (302) than any other player in history. Wednesday’s remarkable comeback was their first FedEx ATP Head2Head encounter.

“I surprised everyone I think today. I think whoever wins against Roger surprises himself,” said Donskoy. “It’s an unbelievable feeling, but it will sink in tomorrow. I don’t think I’ll sleep much tonight.

“For sure it’s my best win. Not many players can say they beat Roger Federer the first time.”

5. Aiming For The Top

Despite achieving his first Top 10 victory, Donskoy is eager to continue his success to climb back up the rankings.

“I can say it’s a dream come true, but this is sport. I don’t like this, because you always want to win, even if it’s Roger,” added the Dubai qualifier.“You come to a tournament, a Grand Slam, you know there is (Novak) Djokovic, (Andy) Murray, (Rafael) Nadal, and you’re thinking, ‘Okay, I want to win.’ I understand that I’m 100 in the rankings, but you always have the ambition to be No. 1, always.”