UMAG, July 20, 2019

Dusan Lajovic of Serbia and Aljaz Bedene from Slovenia headlined Friday’s quarterfinal action at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag. In a topsy-turvy match under the floodlights on Goran-Ivanisevic-Stadium, Lajovic emerged victorious, winning 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Bedene had the better start, came back from 3-5 down in the opening set, winning four games in a row to claim the frame after 60 minutes. The No. 4 seed, however, fought back and converted six of his 14 break point chances to advance after two hours and 32 minutes.

“We played in Rome earlier in the season and I won in a similar way,” Lajovic told TennisTourTalk after his fifth win over Bedene in as many meetings between the two at senior’s level. “I knew that it was going to be tough but it was really fun to play in this kind of atmosphere tonight. I am happy to reach the semis here for the first time. I am feeling good and have enough time to recover, so I hope to go even one step further tomorrow.”

Lajovic, who achieved his maiden ATP Tour final this April at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and recorded his career-high ATP Ranking of No. 23 that same month, will next play Salvatore Caruso. The Italian qualifier beat Facundo Bagnis of Argentina 6-4, 6-0 in the final match of the day. The encounter ended at 1 am.

Salvatore “The Wall” Caruso 💪

The 🇮🇹 defeats Facundo Bagnis 6-4, 6-0 for his first ATP Tour SF at #atpumag!

📹: @TennisTV pic.twitter.com/cHSknSVPKA

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) July 19, 2019

Balazs continues great run of form

Earlier in the afternoon, Attila Balazs fought past Stefano Travaglia of Italy 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-3 to reach his second tour-level semi-final after 2012 Bucharest. In a Davis-Cup atmosphere on Grandstand, the Hungarian qualifier won two points more than his opponent to prevail after two hours and 22 minutes.

Balazs will next take on Laslo Djere. The No. 3 seed and highest ranked player left in the singles draw edged out the tournament’s No. 8 Leonardo Mayer from Argentina, winning 6-4, 7-6(6), 6-3. Djere saved all seven break points he faced, converting two of his own eight opportunitites to secure victory in two hours and 39 minutes.

Photo Gallery (by Florian Heer)