CORDENONS/STARNBERG, August 9, 2024
The semi-finals of the Serena Wines 1881 – Acqua Maniva Tennis Cup in Cordenons are set. Andrew Paulson continued his great run of form this week in Italy following a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) victory over Andrea Collarini of Argentina.
The 22-year-old alternate from the Czech Republic fired 10 aces and won 72 per cent of his first-service points to advance in two hours and 39 minutes. Paulson, a winner of seven ITF World Tennis Tour titles, will appear in the stage of the last four at Challenger level for the first time, taking on Vilius Gaubas. The fourth favourite and last seeded player standing in the ATP Challenger Tour 75 clay-court tournament beat Italian veteran Lorenzo Giustino 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 57 minutes.
Breaking new ground 🙌
Andrew Paulson reaches his first career Challenger SF with a three-set victory over Andrea Collarini 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) in Cordenons #ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/EByXE462Eo
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 9, 2024
In the bottom half of the draw, Belgian youngster Alexander Blockx defeated local wild card entry Federico Arnaboldi 6-3, 6-2. The 19-year-old Antwerp native capitalized on six of his eight break-point chances to prevail after one hour and 19 minutes.
Up next for Blockx will be Spaniard Carlos Taberner, who was a 6-4, 6-3 winner over Riccardo Bonadio of Italy. The encounter lasted one hour and 39 minutes.
