Dominic Thiem upset world number one Andy Murray with a 6-2 3-6 6-4 victory to secure his place in the Barcelona Open final against Rafael Nadal.
The Austrian number four seed put Murray, who is continuing his return from an elbow injury, under pressure right from the start of their semi-final at the Real Club de Tenis forcing a break in the very first game.
Despite Murray producing a recovery to take the match into a deciding set, when both players' faltering serve was tested, the world number nine who progressed after two hours and 16 minutes.
"It is the first win (over a world number one), so it is really something special, but it is also the first win over a top-10 guy this season," Thiem told the ATP Tour's official website.
"There are many positive things to take from today's match. For me personally, it's the best victory this year so far.
"I went down in the third set when he broke me in the first game, but the way I came back mentally was a huge step forward today."
Murray, who went out in the third round at Monte Carlo last week, was happy enough with his performances in Barcelona.
"I got three matches in three days against all different players," he said.
"Feli (Feliciano Lopez) uses a lot of slice and variation, Ramos (Albert Ramos-Vinolas) yesterday is a lefty and today against Dominic, who plays with the kick serve and so much spin. To play two hours today after three yesterday, will be good for me."
Third seed Nadal will aim for his 10th Barcelona Open title after the Spaniard came through 6-3 6-4 against Horacio Zeballos of Argentina in one hour and 34 minutes.
At the Hungarian Open in Budapest, top seed Lucas Pouille beat Italian Paolo Lorenzi 6-2 7-5.
The Frenchman will take on Aljaz Bedene in Sunday's final after the British number four defeated Serbian Laslo Djere 6-2 6-4.
The win was a 16th in succession for Bedene, who had secured back-to-back titles on the second-tier Challenger Tour before coming through qualifying in Budapest and going on to upset second seed Ivo Karlovic in the quarter-finals.
Bedene said: " I was working really hard in the pre-season and staying solid, so I am really happy with how I am playing. It is great to play in a final."
Source: PA
