KITZBÜHEL/STARNBERG, July 23, 2026
The semifinal lineup at the Generali Open Kitzbühel is complete — and for the first time this year, the Center Court was completely sold out on Thursday.
Yannick Hanfmann continued his remarkable success story in the Tyrolean Alps, cruising past 2023 champion Sebastian Baez 6-3, 6-1 to reach the semifinals of the ATP 250 clay-court event for the fourth time. At 34 years and eight months, Hanfmann became the oldest semifinalist of the modern Generali Open era.
The quarterfinal against Baez was also the German’s 22nd match in Kitzbühel, more than he has played at any other ATP tournament.
HE DOES IT AGAIN IN KITZBUHEL 👏
Hanfmann defeats Baez 6-3 6-1 and is into his 4th semi-final in Kitzbuhel!#GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/BEeqanlevi
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 23, 2026
“From the beginning until the end it was a solid performance,” Hanfmann said. “I’m very happy that I’m playing so well at the moment. I love it.”
Asked why Kitzbühel continues to bring out his best tennis, Hanfmann admitted he struggles to explain it.
“I have no words for it. It’s a combination of everything. I love Kitzbühel and this court. It’s probably one of the courts where I’ve played the most matches in my career. The atmosphere is always great and there are so many people here.”
Hanfmann was runner-up in Kitzbühel in 2020 and also reached the semifinals in 2022 and 2024. On Friday, he will try to reach the final once again when he faces France’s Quentin Halys.
Halys defeated Mariano Navone 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the fourth ATP semifinal of his career.
Etcheverry thrives again in the Alps
Tomas Martin Etcheverry also showed once more how comfortable he feels in Kitzbühel. The fourth-seeded Argentine defeated Peru’s Ignacio Buse 6-2, 7-5 to reach the semifinals here for the second time.
“I played at a good level again and I’m happy it worked out so well today,” Etcheverry said. “This is my second semifinal in Kitzbühel, a tournament I really enjoy. The altitude suits my game, and I’m proud to be back in the semifinals.”
For Etcheverry, who became Argentina’s No. 1 for the first time in May, the event carries special significance.
“It’s my last clay-court tournament of the year, so I want to get a good result here — especially because clay is my favorite surface.”
Bublik survives another emotional outing
Top seed and defending champion Alexander Bublik completed the semifinal lineup with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Alex Molcan, the Slovak who had knocked out Austrian No. 1 Sebastian Ofner in the opening round.
The crowd witnessed another classic Bublik performance, including an emotional outburst that left one of his racquets in pieces. On the scoreboard, however, the Kazakh remained firmly in control and set up a semifinal clash with Etcheverry.
“He’s a good player and he recently won his first ATP title on clay,” Bublik said of the Argentine. “It will be a very challenging match. I’ll try to be ready tomorrow, feel good, and serve very well.”
