Fernando Verdasco, Nicolas Almagro in Houston ATP semis

Houston: Fourth-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain beat Donald Young Jr. 7-6 (1), 6-1 to reach the semifinals of the US Men's Clay Court Championships.

Another Spaniard to advance to the last four Friday night was the third-seeded Nicolas Almagro, who eliminated American Jack Sock 6-2, 6-4, reports Xinhua.

Verdasco will face Santiago Giraldo Saturday night. Giraldo beat Colombian compatriot Alejandro Gonzalez 6-3, 6-4 in another quarterfinal.

Sam Querrey beat Dustin Brown 6-3, 6-7 (8), 6-3 to set up a semifinal against Almagro.

In the doubles semifinals, top-seeded Bob and Mike Bryan beat Chris Guccione and Lleyton Hewitt 7-5, 6-3 and Verdasco and David Marrero topped Giraldo and Gonzalez 6-4, 6-2.