DOHA, January 5, 2018
Thursday’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open quarterfinals featured players from eight countries, including two qualifiers, two #NextGenATP members, one wild card and just one seed.
World No. 5 Dominic Thiem defeated 19-year-old Greek sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-4. The 24-year-old from Austria sent down seven aces, winning 73 per cent of his first service points to seal victory in one hour and 24 minutes.
Really 😔 with the way it ended but I feel 😇 that I had the opportunity to play in #Doha 🇶🇦 this year and perform with my best qualities. Off to #Auckland 🇳🇿 tomorrow for the @ASB_Classic 🎾. See you all there! 👋🏼
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@StefTsitsipas) 4. Januar 2018
“I was serving well again today and returning well. That’s what I was working on in the off-season so it already pays off now,” Thiem said after reaching his first semi-final on hard court since February 2016.
He will next face Gael Monfils. The French wild card entry edged past German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk 6-3, 7-6, firing eight aces to prevail after one hour and 27 minutes.
Rublev To Take On Pella
Andrey Rublev beat Borna Coric 6-3, 7-5 in a rematch of the 2017 NextGenATP Finals. The 20-year-old Russian won 56 per cent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 30 minutes.
“I was feeling the ball well. I knew since the beginning of the match that I have to try to dictate the point. I have to try to attack. I have to try to lead, but I have to try to do it with a good position. That was the key,” Rublev said.
The World No. 39 will take on Guido Pella of Argentina, who ousted qualifier Mirza Basic from Bosnia and Herzegovina 6-2, 6-3.
