Steve Johnson, who is a career-high No. 33 in the Emirates ATP Rankings heading into this week, continues to impress, posting a 7-5, 6-4 win over sixth seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Friday in Valencia. The 25-year-old American reached his first ATP World Tour final last week in Vienna (l. to Ferrer), and improved to 9-3 since the US Open.

Johnson secured the win in just under 90 minutes, out-acing his opponent nine to four. He saved one break point (1/2) while going three-for-10 on break opportunities on the Garcia-Lopez serve.

The Californian will face another Spaniard in the semi-finals in Roberto Bautista Agut, who downed qualifier Mischa Zverev 6-4, 6-3 in just over 70 minutes.

Bautista Agut, ranked No. 24 to his opponent’s No. 215, saved two break points in the first game of the match before securing the crucial break on the final point of the opening set. Serving for the match, the Spaniard fell behind 0/40, but won five consecutive points to clinch a semi-final berth. He holds a 3-0 lead in the FedEx ATP Head2Head series against Johnson, but the pair has not met in a tour-level event since Wimbledon 2014.

Lopez Lone Home Hope In Doubles

Feliciano Lopez and Max Mirnyi downed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and David Marrero 4-6, 6-3, 10-4 to move into the doubles semi-finals on Friday. Lopez is now the only Spaniard with a shot at the doubles crown, having defeated compatriots Garcia-Lopez and Marrero. He and his Belarussian partner will take on Julian Knowle and Oliver Marach on Saturday for a spot in the final.