Wildcard Mark Philippoussis continued his renaissance by beating Italian Davide Sanguinetti 7-6 7-6 to reach the semi-finals of the Ordina Open.

In overcast, breezy conditions, the 2003 Wimbledon runner-up recovered from 5-2 down in the second set to advance to his first semi-final since September 2003.

Philippoussis, who has slipped to 188 in the rankings after a series of injuries, now plays defending champion Michael Llodra of France.

Llodra went through with a 6-2 6-7 6-3 triumph over German Lars Burgsmueller.

Having taken the first-set tiebreak 7-2, Philippoussis broke serve in the opening game of the second before dropping his own serve twice as the unseeded Sanguinetti forged 5-2 ahead.

But, after the Italian failed to serve out the set at 5-3, Philippoussis won the tiebreak 7-0.

"I am at my best when I am aggressive," the Australian told reporters. "I served well at the important moments and was aggressive in the tiebreaks."

He is chasing his first title since Shanghai 21 months ago.

"Considering I wasn't even going to play here, I am pretty pleased with how it's going," he said.

Unseeded Czech Jan Hernych booked his place in the last four with a 7-6 6-2 victory over German Philipp Kohlschreiber.

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