Querrey sets up Garin semi, Ruud spoils Granollers' birthday

Sam Querrey stayed on track to reach his third US Men's Clay Court Championship final after outlasting Janko Tipsarevic on Friday.

A two-time runner-up in Houston, Querrey reached the semifinals thanks to a hard-fought 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-4) victory against the Serb.

Querrey saved two set points in the opener as before seeing off Tipsarevic to move through to the final four without dropping a set.

"My first two matches were pretty clean, but this match was more about fighting your way through it," said Querrey. "There were some frustrating moments against a tough opponent, but I found a way to win those tie-breaks and that's what tennis is about sometimes."  

The American eighth seed will next meet Chilean Christian Garin for a place in the ATP tournament decider.

Garin – who saved five match points in his second-round triumph over second seed Jeremy Chardy – accounted for qualifier Henri Laaksonen 6-3 6-2.

Celebrating his 33rd birthday, former champion Marcel Granollers lost 6-1 6-0 to ruthless Norwegian Casper Ruud.

Daniel Elahi Galan was serving at 6-1 4-6 3-3 when his match against seventh seed Jordan Thompson was suspended and rescheduled for Saturday, with the winner to face Ruud.