Defending champion Richard Gasquet was dumped out of the Swiss Open by dangerous floater Igor Andreev 7-5 6-2 in a quaterfinal match played under the baking sun.

Third seeded Gasquet was hoping to build on his success at Wimbledon with another fine run here, however, after dropping a tight opening set, it was all one way traffic for his wildcard opponent who only decided to enter after losing early at Wimbledon.

"It was difficult to play against him", Gasquet admitted. "He served incredible with the altitude and with his forehand the ball was bouncing high so it was not easy."

The key game came at 5-5 in the first set with Gasquet saving two break points with an ace and then a forehand winner down the line. After the Russian had set up a third break point with a thunderous forehand drive that beat the Frenchman at his baseline for a clean winner, he broke in the next point when Gasquet netted a short backhand approach attempting to go over the high part of the net.

Andreev closed out the 52 minute set to love and promptly broke Gasquet in the opening game of the second set to 30 when his aggressive deep forehand return forced the error on the forehand from the Frenchman who went long on the half volley.

Gasquet then appeared to struggle on his backhand wing having developed a painful arm as the constant returning of balls on his backhand wing above shoulder level began to take its toll.

Andreev consolidated his advantage with a double break to go 5-2 up as the deflated Gasquet wilted physically and mentally under the strain dumped his sliced backhand into the bottom of the net.

Andreev who with the aid of two consecutive aces served out the match to love to set up a semi-final clash with Andreas Seppi said:

"I tried to play attacking and just play my game; it worked well."

The Russian who feels that he is improving in this tournament with each match was aware that Gasquet's level had plummeted rapidly after he lost the opening set.

"You could see this after I made the break he was not serving as strong as he did in the beginning of the first set. Playing here after semi-final of Wimbledon, maybe his physical condition was not one hundred percent."

Andre Jones

Roy Emerson Arena

Gstaad