NIKOLOZ Basilashvili has claimed his fourth ATP Tour title with a perfect run at the Qatar Open, defeating fifth seed Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets. The Georgian has been in a form slump since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, winning just two of 16 matches heading into the tournament, but he found his feet to storm to a title, 7-6 6-2 including a win over the returning Roger Federer in the quarter finals.

“I am somehow managing to play good in tougher conditions and tougher matches,” Basilashvili said post-match. “This tournament was one of the toughest ATP 250s I have ever seen, probably. We had three Top 10 players. It is interesting [to ask] why I am playing good in the big tournaments and big matches. [It is] surprising. At the same time, [I am] happy.”

Despite only winning one of four matches against Bautista Agut leading into the contest, the Georgian defied history by serving four aces and winning 74 and 63 per cent of his first and second serve points, whilst not facing a break point himself. He capitalised twice against Bautista Agut in the second set, and took control off the Spaniard’s second serve with a 54 per cent success rate.

“[I am] super happy. I was not expecting that but, at the same time, I was working a lot,” said Basilashvili. “I was feeling good on the court. I was playing the last half a year with a lot of stress in my body. I was not able to put 100 per cent on the court in any matches. This week, I somehow found a way to deal with the stressful moments. I am very happy to get through [to the title].”

QATAR OPEN FINAL RESULT:

Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) defeated [5] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 7-6 6-2

The stage is set for top seed Daniil Medvedev to take on the crowd at Marseille when the Russian faces off against unseeded Frenchman, Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the final today. Medvedev was able to overcome a sore Matthew Ebden to win 6-4 3-0 as the Australian qualifier retired, whilst Herbert toppled compatriot Ugo Humbert in a huge upset to reach the final.

Unfortunately for Ebden, despite pushing Medvedev throughout the contest, he finally called it quits when down 15-40 in the fourth game of the second set, having reached the semi-finals as the lowest ranked player in history, at 287th in the world. Medvedev was on the back foot in the first set, saving three break points before breaking in the ninth game and then it was the first to five consecutive games prior to the retirement.

“Before this [injury], it was a close match. He was getting close to breaking me at 0/40 [in the first set], so really unfortunate to end the match like this. I knew that even with an injury I had to just continue playing, trying to win,” Medvedev said post-match. “You cannot give easy points just because he’s injured. “So I am really sorry for him, hopefully he can recover fast and it’s nothing serious.”

Meanwhile Herbert booked his spot in the final, dominating the fourth seed Humbert, winning 6-3 6-2 in just 65 minutes without facing a break point. Herbert is yet to win an ATP Tour singles title in his career, with the 29-year-old a successful doubles player wit hGrand Slam titles under his belt. Now ranked 93rd in the world, the Frenchman will be a huge underdog in the match, but will be hoping to deny Medvedev a title at Marseille in the number one seed’s third attempt at the tournament.

OPEN 13 PROVENCE SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:

[1] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated [Q] Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-4 3-0 RET
Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) defeated [4] Ugo Humbert (FRA) 6-3 6-2

Top seed Cristian Garin booked his spot in the Chile Open final and will be the clear home court favourite after defeating Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan in straight sets. Garin won 6-4 6-3 in an hour and 23 minutes on court to make his way into his home nation’s final. Garin served eight aces and won 29 of 36 first serve points to take control in the match over his Colombian opponent, only being broken once, whilst breaking his opponent four times, including three times in the second set.

Meanwhile in the all-Argentinian semi-final, Facundo Bagnis outlasted eighth seed Federico Delbonis in a tight two-set encounter, 7-5 6-3. The match went an hour and 43 minutes with Bagnis serving seven aces to two, and winning 82 and 54 per cent of his first and second serve points to Delbonis’ 67 and 32 per cent respectively. He broke three times to one, picking up a couple of extra crucial breaks to claim the victory and advance through to the Chile Open final.

CHILE OPEN SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:

[1] Cristian Garin (CHI) vs. Daniel Elahi Galan (COL)
Facundo Bagnis (ARG) defeated [8] Federico Delbonis (ARG) 7-5 6-3

Picture credit: Mohamed Farag/Getty Images