AIX-EN-PROVENCE, May 10, 2019

Top seed Pablo Cueveas leads the semi-finals line-up of the Open Pays D’Aix Cepax. The World No. 51 from Uruguay battled past Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-3 on Friday afternoon at the Country Club Aixois.

In his 10th match in 14 days, Cuevas sent down nine aces, winning 76 per cent of his first service points to prevail after two hours and 35 minutes. The 33-year-old, who finished runner-up at the Estoril Open last week, will next take on either Daniel Masur or Hugo Nys of Monaco. The German, who is seeking his first semi-final appearance at ATP Challenger level since Koblenz 2017, is leading 6-4, 5-7, 3-2 with a break up in the third set. The match was suspended due to darkness.

Earlier in the day, Alexey Vatutin of Russia held off the good run of Benjamin Hassan from Germany. The 26-year-old Volgograd native capitalized on five of his 11 break point opportunities to secure a 7-5, 7-6(3) victory in one hour and 45 minutes. Vatutin will meet Quentin Halys from France in the stage of the final four. The 22-year-old defeated No. 12 seeded Italian Gianluca Mager 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4. The encounter lasted two hours and six minutes.

Half-volley magic 🎩 from Alexey Vatutin in Aix-en-Provence.

The 🇷🇺 claims the shot of the day @OpenduPaysdAix. pic.twitter.com/PIIsi7pZ6x

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) 9. Mai 2019