MURCIA/STARNBERG, March 22, 2024
Nikoloz Basilashvili has reached his first semi-final on the ATP Challenger Tour since winning the title of the Neckarcup 2016 in Heilbronn, as the circuit is back in Spain for the V Challenger Costa Calida Region de Murcia.
The 32-year-old Georgian battled his way through the qualifying followed by wins in the main draw of the €75,825 clay-court event over No. 4 Jesper de Jong from the Netherlands and Frenchman Ugo Blanchet. On Friday, Basilashvili rallied past Marco Trungelliti of Argentina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The former World No. 16 won 71 per cent of his first-service points and broke his rival four times to secure victory in two hours and 41 Minutes.
Basilashvili, who captured five ATP Tour titles as well as five title on the Challenger Circuit, is currently ranked World No. 1086 and will next take on Albert Ramos-Vinolas from Spain. The tournament’s top seed fought past Yunchaokete Bu of China7-5, 3-6, 6-1 after two hours and 30 minutes.
Llamas Ruiz knocks out Gasquet
In the bottom half of the draw, Pablo Llamas Ruiz ousted second-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-2, 3-6, 7-5. The No. 6 seed of Spain capitalized on four of his seven break-point chances to prevail after two hours and 38 minutes.
No way, @pablotenis_02 🤯#ATPChallenger | @RFETenis pic.twitter.com/yhgLdOpv8I
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 22, 2024
In his first semi-final of the season, Llamas Ruiz will play Portuguese alternate Henrique Rocha, a 6-2, 6-2 winner over fifth favourite Radu Albot from Moldova. The encounter lasted one hour and 33 minutes.
