ANDREY Rublev is the sole Russian representative in the St. Petersburg Open ATP 500 event semi-finals, following a huge win and the exit of compatriot, Karen Khachanov. The 22-year-old moved into the top 10 – up to number nine in the world following a 6-2 6-1 demolition of Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie, whilst Khachanov bowed out at the hands of Milos Raonic.

Rublev needed just 62 minutes to demolish Norrie 6-2 6-1 and book his spot in the final four, continuing his ripping run this year. The third seed never looked liked losing the match, only dropping six points off his first serve, and breaking five times from 11 opportunities while not being broken himself once.

He also backed up upon return, winning 54 per cent of his receiving points to move into the semi-finals where he will meet fellow young gun, and second seed Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian also won in two sets, but had a struggle the whole way against a determined Stan Wawrinka, coming away with a 6-4 7-5 victory.

That match lasted an hour and 41 minutes on court as Shapovalov hit seven aces and won 84 per cent of his first serve points off a 67 per cent clip. In saying that, he struggled off his second serve, winning just 28 per cent, which kept Wawrinka in the game to bring up seven break point opportunities. Luckily for the youngster, the Swiss star could only capitalise on one of those seven, whilst Shapovalov broke three times from eight chances.

It was a great day for Canadian fans as Raonic left the door ajar for a potential all-Canadian final with his straight sets win over Khachanov. It also eliminated the chance of an all-Russian final at home, as Raonic had a second set fight on his hands before battling through to topple Khachanov, 6-1 7-6 in an hour and 26 minutes.

Raonic powered past his opponent with both having a 72 per cent efficiency off their first serve, but Raonic served 15 aces to six, and won 85 and 63 per cent of his first and second serve points compared to Khachanov’s 64 and 44 per cent. The Canadian avoided being broken, saving the only break point opportunity for the Russian, whilst breaking twice from five opportunities himself.

Now the experienced Canadian goes on to face rising Croatian Borna Coric who dealt with another big serving opponent in American, Reilly Opelka. The latter was coming off an upset win over Daniil Medvedev in the second round, but Coric held his nerve against the barrage of 16 aces to win 7-6 6-3 in an hour and 22 minutes.

Coric won 86 per cent of his first serve points off a 78 per cent efficiency, in fact he only dropped eight points in total for the entire match off his serve. Somehow Opelka still managed to fit a break in there, but Coric’s extra break in the deciding set told the story as his all-round performance compared to Opelka’s 16 aces was key in advancing through to the final four.

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