ROTTERDAM/STARNBERG, March 5, 2021

World No. 6 and highest remaining seed at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, continues his run to win his sixth ATP Tour career title. The tournament’s No. 2 rallied past Karen Khachanov of Russia 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 at the Rotterdam Ahoy on Friday afternoon.

Tsitsipas converted 56 per cent of his break point chances and 52 per cent of the total points played to prevail after two hours and 42 minutes.

Weekend ticket booked 🎟@steftsitsipas comes through a near 3-hour thriller v Khachanov 4-6 6-3 7-5 and reaches the @abnamrowtt semis for the first time! pic.twitter.com/rjuItQI5iE

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 5, 2021

“He was playing great tennis and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to compete,” said Tsitsipas. “I had an amazing 5-0 lead in the second set and that brought a lot of confidence into my game. We had great rallies and the quality of tennis was excellent. You need to stay as calm as possible in three-setters. I have won a lot in the past and with experience, it gives me an idea of how to play in these tight moments.” 

Rublev overcomes Chardy

The 22-year-old Athens native will next play Andrey Rublev. The No. 4 seed from Russia also had to go the distance against French qualifier Jeremy Chardy, winning 7-6(2), 6-7(2), 6-4. Rublev fired 15 aces and won 74 per cent of first-service points to prevail after two hours and 39 minutes.

Mr. 500 marches on 🚶‍♂️@AndreyRublev97 makes it 18 wins in a row at ATP 500 level, battling past Chardy 7-6 6-7 6-4 #abnamrowtt pic.twitter.com/DseLgBL7iR

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 5, 2021

“It was a really tough match against Jeremy,” Rublev said during his on-court interview. “He is shooting really hard, he is serving really hard… [In the first-set tie-break], I played a bit better than him. He made a couple of mistakes. In the second [set], I didn’t start really well… I managed somehow to come back and then I didn’t make it when I had the chances. I had match points.

“We went to a third set and then I started really well. He played one really good game. I got a bit tight and… to serve for the match is not always easy. There was drama at the end. He had one break point but, in the end, I managed to win so I am really happy.”

Tsitsipas leads 3-2 over Rublev in the pair’s head-to-head record. The Greek also won the last two previous meetings with Rublev in the quarterfinals at 2020 Roland Garros as well as in the group stage at the last year’s Nitto ATP Finals. Earlier last season, the Russian beat Tsitsipas in the final of the Hamburg European Open.

RESULTS – MARCH 05, 2021
Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
[2] S. Tsitsipas (GRE) d K. Khachanov (RUS) 46 63 75
[4] A. Rublev (RUS) d [Q] J. Chardy (FRA) 76(2) 67(2) 64
B. Coric (CRO) d K. Nishikori (JPN) 76(2) 76(4)
[Q] M. Fucsovics (HUN) d T. Paul (USA) 64 63

Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
[2] N. Mektic (CRO) / M. Pavic (CRO) d P. Herbert (FRA) / J. Struff (GER) 36 63 10-7
H. Kontinen (FIN) / E. Roger-Vasselin (FRA) d [WC] P. Tsitsipas (GRE) / S. Tsitsipas (GRE) 62 76(4)

ORDER OF PLAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 06, 2021
CENTRE COURT start 1:00 pm
J. Chardy (FRA) / F. Martin (FRA) vs [2] N. Mektic (CRO) / M. Pavic (CRO)

Not Before 3:00 pm
[4] A. Rublev (RUS) vs [2] S. Tsitsipas (GRE)
H. Kontinen (FIN) / E. Roger-Vasselin (FRA) vs K. Krawietz (GER) / H. Tecau (ROU)

Not Before 7:30 pm
B. Coric (CRO) vs [Q] M. Fucsovics (HUN)