American John Isner will face one of the rising stars of men's tennis in the ASB Classic semi-finals.
Frenchman Ugo Humbert upset second seed Denis Shapovalov 7-5 7-5 to book a final-four showdown against the big-serving two-time Auckland champion.
Isner scored a narrow 7-6 7-6 win over Brit Kyle Edmund in just under two hours, with neither player losing a service game.
Isner saved nine breakpoints, firing down 25 aces in a commanding service performance.
Meanwhile, Humbert edged out popular Canadian prospect Shapovalov in two tight sets, breaking serve late in both to earn the win.
In Friday's other semi-final, Fench fifth seed Benoit Paire will face another rising star of the men's game, Poland's Hubert Hurkacz.
Paire staged a comeback win over game John Millman 4-6 6-1 6-4. The Australian seemed headed for a comfortable victory, after claiming the first set, but lost six straight games, as Paire found his groove.
Paire broke Millman late in the third set and held on for victory.
Hurkacz blew four match points, before finally ending the run of Feliciano Lopez, scoring a tough 6-4 6-7 6-4 victory.
Kiwi Marcus Daniell will contest the doubles semi-finals, after he and partner Phillip Oswald fought back from a set down to beat Frederik Nielson and Tim Puetz 4-6 6-1 10-7.
Join us on Friday for live updates of the ASB Classic men's tournament from Auckland
