Britain's Martin Lee has eased into the semi-finals of the ATP Hall of Fame Championships at Rhode Island.

On a disappointing day for the remaining seeds at the event, Lee defeated Davide Sanguinetti 6-3 3-6 6-4 in a tense match.

The Italian bounced back after losing the opening set but the Briton piled on the pressure to secure an impressive victory.

Second seed Rainer Schuettler was beaten by Denmark's Kenneth Carlsen in emphatic fashion.

The German was undone in straight sets 6-2 6-2.

Carlsen will next face South Africa's Neville Godwin, who eliminated ATP quarter-final debutante Michael Llorda of France 6-1 6-2.

Lee has a Saturday date with James Blake, who made his ATP quarter-final debut by defeating fellow American Kristian Capalik 6-2 3-6 6-3.