IT is getting to the pointy end of the opening ATP Tour tournaments for 2021, with the semi-finalists decided in both Antalya and Delray Beach. The higher-profile Antalya Open in Turkey saw three seeds reach the final four, two of which are Top 30 players. In the Delray Beach Open, it was less predictable with tournament favourite and top two seed John Isner ousted, though there was still success on the day for the home nation.

In Turkey, quarter finals results set up a blockbuster semi-final between two consistent all-court players in David Goffin and Alex de Minaur. Goffin continued his great form rolling past Italian Stefano Travaglia in straight sets, 6-3 6-2, while de Minaur is still yet to drop a set in the tournament with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Goffin said he was excited to be into a semi-final in the first tournament of the year after an indifferent 2020 which saw him change coaches.

“I got off to a good start in both sets and felt that I was aggressive on my forehand and solid on return,” Goffin told ATPTour.com. “I am happy to be in the semi-finals, as I served well and felt physically better.”

It is expected the winner of the Goffin-de Minaur clash will take out the title, with eighth seed Alexander Bublik stunning top ranked Matteo Berrettini. It was a disappointing day for the Italian camp with Berrettini joining Travaglia on the sidelines after going down in a tight loss to the Kazakh, 7-6 6-4. Now Bublik takes on Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, following Chardy’s come-from-behind win over Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, 4-6 6-2 7-6.

“Getting to a semi-final in the first week of the season, and beating a couple of top players — Matteo is a Top 10 player. It’s a great start,” Bublik said post-match following his upset victory over Berrettini.

His opponent in the semi-final, Chardy, had a tougher route to the last four, having to save a couple of match points before claiming the three-set win over Struff.

“It was a difficult match and I was a little bit tired too from yesterday,” Chardy said. “He (Jan-Lennard) had two match points at the end, so it was difficult. “But I am happy to be in the semi-finals.”

ANTALYA OPEN QUARTER FINALS RESULTS:

[8] Alexander Bublik (KAZ) defeated [1] Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 7-6 6-4
[2] David Goffin (BEL) defeated Stefano Travaglia (ITA) 6-3 6-2
[4] Alex de Minaur (AUS) defeated [6] Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 6-2 6-4
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) defeated [5] Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 4-6 6-2 7-6

At Delray Beach, it was a mixed bag of results, with American Isner bowing out to compatriot Sebastian Korda. Yet to win an ATP Tour title, Korda continued his giant-killing spree having knocked off Soonwoo Kwon and then Tommy Paul in the opening two rounds, before fending off the big serving Isner in three sets, 6-3 4-6 6-3 to advance through to the quarter finals.

In the top half of the draw, American qualifier Christian Harrison also kept his chance at a maiden ATP Tour title alive with a straight sets victory over Italian Gianluca Mager, 7-6 6-1. After having to battle his way to a tiebreak first set win, he managed a crucial break in the second set to claim the victory. He now takes on fourth seed Hubert Hurkacz who won 6-4 6-4 against Ecuadorian qualifier, Roberto Quiroz.

In the late game, Cameron Norrie upset another American in Frances Tiafoe, winning the first set 6-0, before having to fight back in a tight second set loss to claim the match in three sets. Norrie won 6-0 3-6 6-4, having three match points at 0-40, and whilst Tiafoe managed to save a couple, could not end up turning it around.

DELRAY BEACH OPEN QUARTER FINALS RESULTS:

Sebastian Korda (USA) defeated [2] John Isner (USA) 6-3 4-6 6-3
[4] Hubert Hurkacz (POL) defeated [Q] Roberto Quiroz (ECU) 6-4 6-4
Cameron Norrie (GBR) defeated [8] Frances Tiafoe (USA) 6-0 3-6 6-4
[Q] Christian Harrison (USA) defeated Gianluca Mager (ITA) 7-6 6-4

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