Simon reaches semifinals in Bucharest

Top-seeded Gilles Simon rallied to overcome Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 on Friday and reach the semifinals of the Nastase Tiriac Trophy. The Frenchman converted six of his 15 break points to secure the victory in 2 hours, 13 minutes. Simon said ''Kubot played a very good match at the beginning; he was very aggressive,'' adding that ''I was a little bit tired, not moving perfectly ... but finally I was able to break him.'' Qualifier Fabio Fognini upset fellow Italian and six-seeded Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-4, while Germany's Matthias Bachinger defeated countryman Daniel Brands 6-4, 6-1.