THE 2021 Rotterdam and Argentina Opens have hit the quarter finals stage, with opposing results across the two tournaments with predictable outcomes from the seeds in the Netherlands, whilst Buenos Aires saw some intriguing results.

At Rotterdam, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev have set up an excellent semi final after overcoming their respective quarter final opposition in Karen Khachanov and Jeremy Chardy in three sets each. Rublev was well and truly challenged by Chardy, with the two hour and 39 minute matchup requiring two tiebreaker sets before Rublev ran away with the 7-6 6-7 6-4 result. The Russian utilised his huge serve, capitalising with 15 aces for zero double faults, compared to Chardy’s nine and seven. Meanwhile, Tsitsipas had it slightly easier despite going three minutes longer than Rublev, coming back from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 7-5.

Croatian Borna Coric overcame a haughty Kei Nishikori in straight sets but was taken to two tiebreakers in the two hour long match, with the two players unable to be split throughout for a 7-6(2) 7-6(4) result. Coric utilised his service game to full effect in the maqtchup, winning 82 per cent of first serve points and hitting 11 aces off a 64 per cent clip, and was marginally more effective on his second serve than Nishikori. The final match saw Marton Fucsovics down Tommy Paul in the quickest encounter of the day, winning 6-4 6-3 in one hour and 41 minutes.

ROTTERDAM OPEN QUARTER FINAL RESULTS:

[2] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) defeated Karen Khachanov (RUS) 4-6 6-3 7-5
[4] Andrey Rublev (RUS) defeated [Q] Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 7-6 6-7 6-4
Borna Coric (CRO) defeated Kei Nishikori (JPN) 7-6 7-6
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) defeated Tommy Paul (USA) 6-4 6-3
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In Argentina, the day’s encounters went a different way as a couple of seeds fell, with one – top seed and homegrown talent Diego Schwartzman – still yet to complete his matchup against qualifier Jaume Munar. Sixth seed Pablo Andujar took on the red-hot Francisco Cerundolo, with the Argentinian 22-year-old taking every chance he can get on home soil and coming away with another excellent win despite a shocking first set, 1-6 6-3 6-2. Cerundolo was marginally better overall off both his service and return games, recovering well after the first set to come away with a solid victory in two hours and 11 minutes. The other seed to fall was seventh seed Serbian Laslo Djere, who was unfortunate to draw compatriot and fourth seed, Miomir Kecmanovic. Kecmanovic realistically never looked like losing this matchup, taking out the first set 6-4 with relative ease, and whilst the second set dragged on in a tight 7-6(6) tiebreaker, it was enough to remain on top.

Meanwhile, fifth seed Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas encountered a fighting Sumit Nagal, with the Indian qualifier fighting until the bitter end in a huge two hour and 26 minute 4-6 6-2 7-5 encounter. The final match result of the round between Schwartzman and Munar could eventually set up an all-Argentinian battle in the final matchup, making this one a huge battle for the Argentinian top seed in Buenos Aires.

ARGENTINA OPEN QUARTER FINAL RESULTS:

[4] Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) v. [7] Laslo Djere (SRB) 6-4 7-6
[5] Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) defeated [Q] Sumit Nagal (IND) 4-6 6-2 7-5
[Q] Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) defeated [6] Pablo Andujar (ESP) 1-6 6-3 6-2
[1] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) v. [Q] Jaume Munar (ESP)