Frenchman Richard Gasquet continued his comeback from groin surgery by defeating 11th seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(2) 3-6 6-2 in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters on Friday (Saturday AEST).

Gasquet, who defeated Andy Murray in the opening round, set up a semi-final clash on Saturday (Sunday AEST) with Belgian 16th seed David Goffin.

Goffin advanced when his quarter-final opponent, Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, pulled out before their match on due to illness.

Gasquet underwent groin surgery in January and returned to competition in May.

“I didn’t play for six months, so it’s great to be back here and reaching the semi-finals aged 33,” Gasquet told ESPN in an on-court interview.

“Goffin is a tough guy, one of the fastest from the baseline, so I will be prepared to battle and to fight.”