Juan Martin del Potro reached the Dubai Championships semifinals for a second straight year when he beat German qualifier Daniel Brands 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday.

Del Potro managed to neutralize the big-serving Brands and offered up some of his own firepower with seven aces, including six in the first set. He also said his right wrist, which he injured in 2010, was not bothering him as much as it did earlier in the tournament and that he now "could play 100 percent."

The first set was tight as both players held serve through the first nine games. But mistakes from the 97th-ranked German allowed Del Potro to break him and win the set. The second set was much easier, as Del Potro broke Brands twice.