PARMA, May 27, 2021 (by Lorenzo Carini)
One-sided matches dominated Thursday’s quarterfinal action at the inaugural Emilia-Romagna Open – Mutti Cup held at the Tennis Club President in Parma, Italy.
All-American semifinal in the top-half
Sebastian Korda and Tommy Paul will play an all-American semifinal on Friday. Korda, who knocked out top favourite Lorenzo Sonego in the round before, overcame eighth seed Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 20 minutes.
The 20-year-old from Bradenton will compete in the second semifinal of his career after the Delray Beach Open earlier this season. Paul, who is the last seeded player left in the singles draw, defeated German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-2, 6-4 in 74 minutes.
Cecchinato to play Munar in the bottom-half
Italian wild card Marco Cecchinato, former semifinalist at Roland Garros, will play on home soil against Jaume Munar thanks to a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Slovakian lucky loser Norbert Gombos in their third meeting. The Spaniard defeated No. 5 seed Richard Gasquet of France 6-1, 6-1 in just 47 minutes. It has been the fastest match of the tournament.
Cecchinato will play his ninth semifinal at ATP level, his second consecutive in Italy after the Sardegna Open last year. “I’ve played very well today, but the score isn’t correct. We had a great battle during the first set, I tried to keep a high level of concentration especially on serve because the court was too fast. I tried to be aggressive since the first point, I think I have played a very good match,” Cecchinato said. About his upcoming opponent, he said: “Munar is a good player, he loves clay and so I think it won’t be an easy match for me.”
Semifinals here we are! 🤩
3.15 pm Cecchinato 🇮🇹 vs Munar 🇪🇸
followed by Korda 🇺🇸 vs Paul 🇺🇸#EmiliaRomagnaOpen | #MuttiCup pic.twitter.com/BcM1skdHD2— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) May 27, 2021
SINGLES QF – RESULTS
Sebastian Korda (USA) d. [8] Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-3 6-3
[6] Tommy Paul (USA) d. [4] Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 6-2 6-4
[WC] Marco Cecchinato (ITA) d. [LL] Norbert Gombos (SVK) 6-3 6-1
Jaume Munar (ESP) d. [5] Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-1 6-1
DOUBLES QF – RESULTS
Roman Jebavy (CZE)/Aleksandr Nedovyesov (KAZ) d. [1] Sander Gille (BEL)/Joran Vliegen (BEL) W/O
Simone Bolelli (ITA)/Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) d. Max Purcell (AUS)/Luke Saville (AUS) 6-3 6-3
Romain Arneodo (MON)/Benoit Paire (FRA) d. [4] Marcelo Arevalo (ESA)/Matwe Middelkoop (NED) 6-2 7-5
KoOliver Marach (AUT)/Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK) d. Matt Reid (AUS)/Michael Venus (NZL) 6-3 6-4
