Defending champion Nikolay Davydenko and second-seeded Andy Roddick both lost their quarterfinal matches at the Hypo Group International.

Davydenko was beaten by Juan Monaco of Argentina 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-4, while Roddick lost to wildcard Gael Monfils of France 7-5 6-3.

Fourth-seeded Lleyton Hewitt advanced after defeating Diego Hartfield of Argentina 6-2 6-2, and will play Monfils in the semifinals.

Hewitt broke Hartfield two times to build a 3-0 lead in the first set.

"It was very important for me to start well and put him under immediate pressure," Hewitt said. "I just wouldn't allow him to play his usual game."

Hartfield broke back once, but got hardly any chances in the service games of Hewitt, who ended the match with an ace on his first match point.

Also through to the semifinals was Luis Horna of Peru, who beat Albert Montanes of Spain 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (2-7) 6-1.

Davydenko never found his rhythm against the 47th-ranked Monaco after going 4-0 behind in the first set.

The top-seeded Russian still won a tight second set, but Monaco dominated the decider again and converted his first match point.

"Monaco got off to a quick start which made it very hard to fight my way back into the match," Davydenko said.

"I was almost exhausted after winning the second set, and had not enough power left for the third."

Monfils beat Roddick in straight sets.

"I am very happy with my performance this week - it is a real confidence booster for me," Monfils said.

The 20-year-old French player is coming back after seven months out with foot and ankle injuries.

"I knew how to play Roddick as I beat him last year," Monfils said. "I am tall and can reach a lot of his serves."

Monfils had eight aces and was successful with strong forehands and drop shots from the baseline.

The second-seeded Roddick was broken for the first time in the tournament while serving for the first set at 5-4. Another break by the 75th-ranked Monfils won him the first set.

Roddick missed three break points in the first game of the second set, and suffered another break immediately afterward. He then got warned for smashing his racket to the court.

Roddick missed two more chances on Monfils' service at 4-1 down.

"I was actually hitting the ball better than in my previous matches here," Roddick said. "Normally you win the point when you hit the ball in a corner three times - but not so against Monfils. He's a great athlete and seems to get every ball back."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP