Ferrer outclasses Somdev in quarters

Top seed Gael Monfils powered into the semi-finals of the South African Open with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Taiwan's Lu Yen-hsun on Friday.

The Frenchman, ranked 13th in the world, swept past Lu in 56 minutes to set up a meeting with third seed Feliciano Lopez of Spain.

Lopez went through with a 7-6, 6-3 triumph over American Rajeev Ram.

The other semi-final will be between second seed David Ferrer of Spain and Frenchman Stephane Robert, seeded eight.

Ferrer outclassed Indian Somdev Devvarman 6-1, 6-3 to reach his second South African Open semi and Robert advanced to the last four of an ATP Tour event for the first time by dispatching Jamaica's Dustin Brown 7-6, 6-3.

Monfils took an early grip against Lu by breaking serve in the second game and he stayed on top as his opponent produced 33 unforced errors.

Lopez thumped 12 aces on the way to his 96-minute win over Ram.