Stan Wawrinka beats defending champion Damir Dzumhur in St Petersburg

Former world number three Stan Wawrinka continued his return to form by beating defending champion Damir Dzumhur to reach the last four of the St Petersburg Open.

The three-time grand slam winner recovered from an early break to win 6-3 6-4 and progress to his first semi-final since February.

He will face 2012 champion Martin Klizan for a place in the final after the Slovakian battled back from a set and 5-3 down to knock out Canadian seventh seed Denis Shapovalov 3-6 7-5 6-3 in two hours and four minutes.

Top seed Dominic Thiem will play Roberto Bautista Agut in the other semi-final.

Austrian Thiem defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-2 3-6 7-6 (7/2), while Spaniard Agut overcame a tough opening set to beat third seed Marco Cecchinato 7-6 (7/0) 6-3.

Semi-finalist Wawrinka told the ATP website: “I adapted a little bit my game. I found exactly what to do.

“I think in general, the level was great. I was mixing a lot the speed, I’m moving well, I’ve been aggressive when I needed to, some good defence.

“I think it was a complete match, and I’m really happy with the high level today.”

Elsewhere, top seed Kei Nishikori remains on course for his first title since 2016 after overcoming Nikoloz Basilashvili in three sets at the Moselle Open in Metz.

The Japanese beat fifth seed Basilashvili 6-3 4-6 6-4 in just over two hours.

German Matthias Bachinger awaits world number 12 Nishikori in the final four after his 6-3 2-6 6-4 victory over compatriot Yannick Maden.

In the other semi-final, two time-winner Gilles Simon will face Radu Albot.

Simon, who was victorious in 2010 and 2013, saw off fellow Frenchman and fourth seed Richard Gasquet 7-6 (7/4) 6-2, while Moldovan Albot knocked out Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis 7-6 (7/4) 6-4.

“It was a tough, tough match today, but somehow I fought through and I’m happy to be in the semi-finals tomorrow,” said Nishikori.

“I thought I played almost perfect game in the first set and I almost had it, but he came back. It was tough. It wasn’t an easy game.”