Brands ousts Tipsarevic as Germans rule Munich

Germany's Daniel Brands pulled off a shock victory to reach the semi-finals of the ATP claycourt event in Munich on Friday as he edged out top seed Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Brands, the world number 69, will face countryman and title-holder Philipp Kohlschreiber for a place in the final, while Tommy Haas, the third German left in the draw will play Croatian Ivan Dodig. Kohlschreiber took another step towards his quest for a third triumph in Munich after beating Viktor Troicki 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), having also lifted the trophy in 2007. Meanwhile, the 35-year-old Haas disposed of compatriot Florian Mayer 6-4, 6-1 to set up a last-four meeting with Dodig, who brushed aside Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 6-4. From: AFP