Bastad (Sweden), Jul 14 (IANS): Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini of Italy continued their strong season as a team on Thursday at the Nordea Open, downing Pablo Carreno Busta and Joao Sousa 6-4, 6-1 to reach their fifth tour-level semifinal of the year.

In a dominant performance, the Italians broke their opponents' serve five times and won 76 percent (25/33) of their first-serve points to advance after 65 minutes. The second seeds, who enjoyed a run to the championship match together in Bastad in 2018, will next play Nikola Cacic and Aleksandr Nedovyesov.

Bolelli and Fognini are aiming to capture their second tour-level crown of the season this week, having lifted the trophy in Rio de Janeiro in February, according to a report on the ATP website.

Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez showed their fighting qualities, edging Andres Molteni and Hugo Nys 7-5, 5-7, 10-8 in one hour and 59 minutes. The fourth seeds, who captured titles in Marrakech and Mallorca in 2022, will next meet Francisco Cerundolo and Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the ATP 250 clay-court event.

The Argentines saved all eight break points they faced to eliminate Fabrice Martin and Franko Skugor 6-4, 6-2 and reach their first semi-final of the season as a pair in 77 minutes.