David Nalbandian, the third seed from Argentina, ousted sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko in four sets to progress to the French Open semi-finals for the second time in three years.
Nalbandian, 24, who reached the last four at Roland Garros in 2004 only to be beaten by Gaston Gaudio, overcame his Russian rival 6-3 6-3 2-6 6-4.
After winning the first two sets, Nalbandian suffered a lapse in form in the third, with Davydenko raising his game to narrow the deficit.
In the fourth set, however, Nalbandian broke his opponent in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead and held serve thereafter to seal victory.
Nalbandian won the Masters Series event in Shanghai in 2005 after defeating world number one Roger Federer, who he will now face in the last four at Roland Garos.
