ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — Nicolas Almagro's title defense continued with a 6-2, 7-6 (2), win over Spanish compatriot Daniel Gimeno-Traver in the Mexican Open quarterfinals on Thursday.

Almagro hit 14 aces, gave away only nine points in 10 service games, and gave Gimeno-Traver no break chances. Almagro took both of his break points in the first set then needed the tiebreaker to fend off the 89th-ranked Gimeno-Traver.

In his first semifinals since April at Valencia, Almagro will play Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina, who beat qualifier Dan Koellerer of Austria 6-3, 7-6 (6).

Vassallo Arguello's previous appearance in the semis of an ATP event was more than two years ago.

Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic, the women's champion in 2004, reached the semifinals after beating Mathilde Johansson of France 6-1, 6-3.