SAN JOSE, Calif. — Benjamin Becker lost only 12 points on serve to beat former world No. 1 player Marat Safin, 6-4, 6-3, Friday and reach the semifinals of the $416,000 SAP Open tennis tournament.

The former Baylor all-American had 11 aces, lost only one point on his first serve and didn’t allow a break point against the Russian, who came from behind to win their only previous meeting last month in the first round of the Australian Open, 5-7, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Becker, ranked 49th in the world, will face No. 103 Ivo Karlovic of Croatia today in the semis.

[...] Becker reached the semifinals for the second straight tournament, two weeks after losing to Blake at Delray Beach in Florida. He also reached the semis last October in Tokyo before losing to top-ranked Roger Federer.

[...] Becker will earn at least $19,750 and 75 ATP points for his semifinals appearance, enough to move up five spots on the ATP computer, and would jump into the Top 40 with a win today. ("Becker dominates Safin to reach SAP semifinal"[Click-2-Listen])