Indian qualifier Somdev Devvarman stretched his dream run to the semi-finals of the US $ 50,000 ATP Challenger tournament in Lexington after outplaying Italian Andrea Stoppini in straight sets.

Somdev, who is in red-hot form, overwhelmed his Italian opponent 7-6 (5), 6-1 in the quarter-finals of the hard court event.

• I am playing better tennis now: Somdev

Somdev, ranked 566 in the world, next plays Belgium's Xavier Malisse, who once figured in top-20 players but is now ranked 162 in the ATP charts.

The Indian had stunned 92-ranked and second seed Bobby Reynolds in the second round.

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