Simon lands in Bucharest semis

Bucharest, Romania – Two-time Bucharest champion Gilles Simon was a come-from-behind quarterfinal winner Friday at the $522,500 BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy tennis event.

The top-seeded world No. 12 Simon, of France, overcame seventh-seeded Pole Lukasz Kubot 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 on the red clay at BNR Arenas.

Simon, who titled back-to-back here in 2007 and 2008, will meet German Matthias Bachinger in Saturday's semifinals, as Bachinger handled qualifier and fellow German Daniel Brands 6-4, 6-1 on Day 5.

Also advancing to the final four was Italian Fabio Fognini, who upset sixth- seeded compatriot Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, and unknown Hungarian qualifier Attila Balazs, who surprised Belgian veteran Xavier Malisse 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Fognini and Balazs, who's making his ATP-level debut this week, will lock horns in the other semi.

The 2012 Bucharest titlist will pocket $95,000.