Frenchman Simon reaches Indianapolis final

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Top-seeded James Blake breezed into the semi-finals of the $525,000 Indianapolis Championships with a straight-set romp of Chinese Taipei's Yen-Hsun Lu 6-2 6-0 on Friday.

Blake dominated in every facet, converting on 5-of-8 break points to take control of the match.

Blake was equally dominant on service, winning all 20 of his first-serve points and not allowing his opponent one break point opportunity.

Blake will face defending champion No. 3 Dmitry Tursunov next, as all top four seeds have advanced to the semis.

Tursunov overcame an opening set loss to defeat Chilean opponent Paul Capdeville, 3-6 6-3 6-1.

The Russian was broken twice in the opening set and double faulted nine times in the match. Tursunov rebounded and found his service rhythm, recording 12 aces.

Second seed Gilles Simon had to wade through his own first-set wobble to advance by defeating number five Tommy Haas 4-6 6-4 6-2.

Haas recorded the only service break of the opening set but Simon converted both of his breakpoint opportunities in the second to force a deciding set.

The 25th-ranked Simon wasted little time in the final set, moving to a 2-0 lead over before closing out his first career victory over his German opponent in just over two hours.

Simon will face American fourth seed Sam Querrey, who fired 17 aces and converted four of six break-point chances to defeat compatriot Bobby Reynolds 6-1 3-6 6-3.

(Editing by Martin Petty)