THREE ATP 250 events continued overnight, with the final four competing in Qatar and final eight competing in Marseille and Chile. Some major upsets have caused chaos in all three tournaments.

In Qatar, fifth seed Roberto Bautista Agut defeated third seed Andrey Rublev 6-3 6-3 to make his 18th ATP singles final. The Spaniard, who took down top seed Dominic Thiem in the quarter-final, continued his winning form by striking the ball well and controlling the court from the baseline. He took the first set in just 29 minutes and, although Rublev took a 3-2 lead in the second, Bautista Agut did not allow the Russian to win another game from there. Rublev’s loss means that all top four seeds in Qatar have failed to make the final. Bautista Agut will instead take on world number 42 Nikoloz Basilashvili, who took care of American Taylor Fritz 7-6 6-1 in his semi-final. It has been a brilliant run for Basilashvili in Doha, as he also achieved the upset of the tournament in the quarter-finals with a three-set victory over the returning Roger Federer. He will attempt to claim his fourth ATP title and second hard court title tomorrow morning.

In Marseille, 2021 Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev raced past Jannik Sinner 6-2 6-4 as he chases his tenth ATP title. In tomorrow’s semi-finals, Australian Matt Ebden will attempt to curtail him after causing a major upset against Karen Khachanov 4-6 6-2 6-2. Speaking of major upsets, Pierre-Hughes Herbert shocked reigning champion and Greek superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas with a 6-7 6-4 6-2 victory. Herbert will face fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert next, as he advanced with a three-set win over qualifier Arthur Rinderknech.

Facundo Bagnis was the big winner in Chile, taking down fourth seed Laslo Djere 4-6 6-3 6-3. Top seed Cristian Garin was too good for qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas with a 6-4 6-4 victory, while eighth seed Federico Delbonis and Spaniard Daniel Elahi Galan won their respective clashes in straight sets.

QATAR OPEN SEMI-FINAL RESULTS:
[5] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) defeated [3] Andrey Rublev (RUS) 6-3 6-3
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) defeated Taylor Fritz (USA) 7-6 6-1

Bautista Agut made 78 per cent of his first serves and won 94 per cent of points on Rublev’s second serve in his victory. He will be going for his tenth ATP title tomorrow and said that he is hoping for the best in the decider. “This court and tournament is one of my favourites,” Bautista Agut said. “I played one of my best matches here in Qatar two years ago, and I hope I can win one more match tomorrow.”

Given that 29-year-old Basilashvili entered the tournament on a five-match losing streak, his success at the tournament has been quite surprising. If Basilashvili defeats Bautista Agut tomorrow, he will win his first ATP title since the 2019 Hamburg European Open. He talked about his fantastic form after the match. “To reach the final means a lot,” Basilashvili said after the win. “I am playing well and I am relaxed, it’s great to play in front of a crowd and a nice atmosphere.”

OPEN 13 PROVENCE QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS:

[1] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated [5] Jannik Sinner (ITA) 6-2 6-4
Pierre-Hughes Herbert (FRA) defeated [2] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6-7 6-4 6-2
[Q] Matt Ebden (AUS) defeated [3] Karen Khachanov (RUS) 4-6 6-4 6-2
[4] Ugo Humbert (FRA) defeated [Q] Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) 4-6 7-5 7-6

Medvedev was far too good for Sinner, winning 80 per cent of points on serve and facing just one break point for the match. The Russian is closing in on his tenth ATP title and said that he is pleased with his position at the tournament. “[It is my] first time here in the semi-finals in Marseille, even if it is my fourth time playing here and third time in the main draw,” Medvedev said. “I am really happy about it, hopefully I can go further.” Ebden, currently ranked number 287 in the world, is the lowest-ranked semi-finalist in tournament history. Despite his strong form, he will have a tough time getting past Medvedev.

Unseeded Frenchman Herbert’s triumph was his first ever win against a top five player, a statistic that he was surprisingly unaware of. “I didn’t know this was the first top five [player] that I beat,” Herbert said in his on-court interview. “It has been an incredible week for me so far, especially this match. I knew I was going to have to play an amazing match to have a chance to win and I managed to do that. I am really happy about the way I played and I am so happy to be in the semi-finals here.” 

As the 2019 and 2020 Marseille Open champion, Tsitsipas’ loss was highly unexpected. While he was disappointed with his own performance, Tsitsipas credited his opponent after the match. “I didn’t deserve to win today,” Tsitsipas said. “He showed a great quality out on the court to persevere and win that match, [his victory was] very well earned. Too bad for me.”

CHILE OPEN QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS:

[1] Cristian Garin (CHI) defeated [Q] Juan Pablo Varillas (PER) 6-4 6-4
Facundo Bagnis (ARG) defeated [4] Laslo Djere (SRB) 4-6 6-3 6-3
[8] Federico Delbonis (ARG) defeated [Q] Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune (DEN) 6-3 6-3
Daniel Elahi Galan (COL) defeated Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 7-6 6-3

In Chile’s first ATP tournament since 2014, hometown favourite Garin is firming as the clear favourite to win the title. He saved six of the eight break points against him to get past Pablo Varillas. Garin was also far more efficient on his first serve, serving at 71 per cent in comparison to Pablo Varillas’ 48 per cent. He said after the match that he feels a sense of pride representing his country at the tournament. “I would love to be able to do something important in this tournament,” Garin said. It is special and I hope I can continue to win. I am playing better, in a semi-final and I am excited to do better. But I prefer to go step by step, game by game.”

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