France, March 13 -- Unseeded Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert on Friday eliminated the defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas to advanced to the semi-final of the Open 13 tennis tournament in Marseille.

Herbert, ranked 93rd in the world, won 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 in just over two hours to claim his first victory over a player in the top five.

Tsitsipas, 22, who had been seeking a third consecutive title at the tournament, edged the first set.

But from 4-4 in the second set, it was one-way traffic as Herbert raced to the net to finish points and then matched the Greek in exchanges from the baseline.

"I knew I was going to have to play an amazing match to have a chance to win," said Herbert after the success.

Effort

"And I managed to do that. I...