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World number seven Taylor Fritz booked his place in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, comfortably beating Belgian David Goffin 6-3, 6-4.

The American quickly took the lead in the first set and defeated the 66th-ranked Goffin in the second and sixth games.

Underdog Goffin – who knocked out second seed Alexander Zverev in the final round – looked stronger in the second set but ultimately couldn’t repeat his performance with another top 10 scalp.

“I’m very happy with how I played… He’s such an incredible returner, I had to stay extremely focused, even more than usual, on my service games,” Fritz said.

It is the first time that US Open finalist Fritz has advanced past the third round in Shanghai.

He will next play Novak Djokovic or Czech teenager Jakub Mensik, who will battle for the last spot in the semi-finals later on Friday.

World number one Jannik Sinner booked his place on Thursday, as did Mensik’s compatriot Tomas Machac, who upset four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.

reb/sn