Di Mauro reaches first ATP semi-final

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 24 (Reuters) Italy's Alessio di Mauro reached the first ATP semi-final of his career when he beat Albert Montanes at the Buenos Aires Open.

Di Mauro, 29, beat the Spaniard 1-6 6-4 6-2 yesterday for his first win at an ATP tournament since last year's US Open.

Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, seeded fourth, was the only seed to make the last four when he beat Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela 6-4 6-3.

Argentine pair Juan Monaco and Diego Hartfield also went through.

Monaco ended Peruvian Luis Horna's run, winning 4-6 6-2 6-3.

Horna, winner in Vina del Mar this year, had eliminated top seed David Nalbandian in the round-robin stage.

Hartfield beat Frenchman Nicolas Devilder 6-4 7-5.

REUTERS PM KN1055