Italian Matteo Berrettini has cruised into the Stuttgart Open last four after making light work of American Denis Kudla with a 6-3 6-3 win in just over an hour.

The 23-year-old world No.30, who beat second seed Karen Khachanov in the previous round, looked at ease on grass on Friday in the Wimbledon warm-up event, despite having won his two tour titles to date on clay.

He grabbed his only break chance to win the first set and his big serve never allowed Kudla a chance to break back.

He comfortably held serve throughout, firing 10 aces in total, and broke the American again at 2-2 to cruise to victory with a superb forehand down the line on match point.

In his fourth semi-final this year, Berrettini will face German Jan-Lennard Struff, who has downed Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-4 in the second quarter-final.