HAMBURG, July 27, 2017
The quarterfinals at the German Tennis Championships are set with third favourite Karen Khachanov leading the way. The #NextGenATP star from Russia is the highest seed left in the singles main draw of the ATP 500 event in Hamburg.
Khachanov edged past Aljaz Bedene of Great Britain 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 on Thursday afternoon. The 21-year-old Moscow native withstood eight aces from his opponent, firing seven of his own to prevail after two hours and 27 minutes.
Khachanov has reached the stage of the final eight for the fifth time this season and will next take on Argentine qualifier Federico Delbonis, who came back from 2-5 down in the opening set to secure a 7-5, 6-3 victory in one hour and 45 minutes over Bastad champion David Ferrer of Spain.
“David played well in the first part of the match, putting a lot of pressure on me and I was only able to react. Later, I found my rhythm and I changed my game, slowing down the rallies. I am happy to be back in the quarterfinals,” said Delbonis, who reached the final here in Hamburg in 2013, also being a qualifier.
Kohlschreiber Joins Mayer In Quarterfinals
Philipp Kohlschreiber
Philipp Kohlschreiber is the second German to reach the quarterfinals, following Florian Mayer. The 33-year-old from Augsburg fought past 2011 champion and fourth seed Gilles Simon of France 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. Kohlschreiber, who is making his 13th appearance in Hamburg, broke serve five times to reach his second semi-final Am Rothenbaum after two hours and two minutes.
“I’m very happy, very pleased. I knew it was going to be tough. He’s a big fighter. He’s a great defending player on the court with great footwork. We had some good rallies, good points. I’ve very happy with my performance,” Kohlschreiber said.
Next up for Kohlschreiber will be Nicolás Kicker. The 24-year-old Argentine knocked off the tournament’s number five Benoit Paire from France 6-4, 7-6. Kicker won 82 per cent of his first service points to advance after one hour and 36 minutes. Kicker will appear in his third quarterfinal at ATP World Tour level after he had reached the stage of the final eight in Lyon and in Rio de Janeiro earlier this season.
In the final match of the day, 2014 champion Leonardo Mayer defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 6-2, 7-5. The 30-year-old from Argentina saved both break points he faced, converting three of his own to advance in one hour and 21 minutes.
Mayer will next challenge Jiri Vesely. The 24-year-old from the Czech Republic clinched his third win over Argentine Horacio Zeballos in as many meetings between the two. Vesely won 53 per cent of the total points played to finish the encounter after one hour and 26 minutes.
