2020 ATP Houston Open fantasy tennis: Ymer upsets Lajovic to book quarter finals spot
THE top four players in the Houston Open fantasy tennis tournament are officially out after third seed, Dusan Lajovic exited following a second round loss. The 22nd ranked Serbian fell in the Round of 16 to talented Swede, Mikael Ymer who is eyeing off a top 50 spot in the ATP Tour rankings. Ymer got up 6-3 6-3 in about 90 minutes to make his way into the quarter finals where he takes on the next highest ranked player remaining.
That player is sixth seed Georgian, Nikoloz Basilashvili who came from behind to knock out unseeded Croatian, Borna Coric. Basilashvili won 6-7 6-3 6-3 in two hours and 40 minutes. It was by far the most epic contest of the day, and the new tournament favourite showed what he was capable of against a player ranked just six places lower than him in the rankings.
Also through to the quarter finals is eighth seed Norwegian, Casper Ruud. The up-and-coming European knocked out big-serving American giant, Reilly Opelka. One of the title contenders coming into the event considering his form and record on clay, Ruud was too good and navigated the barrage of aces to win 6-3 6-3. The match lasted an hour and 22 minutes all up as he booked a date with Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas in the quarter finals.
Cuevas made his way into the last eight courtesy of a win over Serbia’s Laslo Djere. In what was ultimately a disappointing day for Serbia after a promising start to the tournament, Djere joined Lajovic on the list of Round of 16 exits. Despite knocking off number one seed Karen Khachanov just two days earlier, Djere could not quite have the luck against the experienced Cuevas who saluted 6-4 7-6 in an hour-and-40-minute long match.
With the quarter finals decided, it will be the highest ranked player, Jan-Lennard Struff taking on Italian, Lorenzo Sonego up first followed by Brit, Andy Murray and home nation hero, Sam Querrey. Moving to the night session, Basilashvili and Ymer will go head-to-head before Ruud and Cuevas lock horns in the final match of the day.
ROUND OF 16 RESULTS:
Mikael Ymer (SWE) defeated [3] Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 6-3 6-3
[6] Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) defeated Borna Coric (CRO) 6-7 6-3 6-3
[8] Casper Ruud (NOR) defeated Reilly Opelka (USA) 6-3 6-3
Pablo Cuevas (URU) defeated Laslo Djere (SRB) 6-4 7-6
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