Tsitsipas beats Khachanov to reach Rotterdam semifinals

Posted March 05, 2021 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas answer questions during an interview after winning against Russia's Karen Khachanov in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, in their quarterfinal men's singles match of the ABN AMRO world tennis tournament at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) The Associated Press

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - Stefanos Tsitsipas recovered from a break down in the deciding set to beat Karen Khachanov and reach the semifinals of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament on Friday.

Seeded second, the Greek player was 3-1 down in the third before breaking back and beating Khachanov 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Tsitsipas is seeking his first tour title since February 2020.

His win set up a semifinal against fourth-seeded Andrey Rublev, who was pushed hard by qualifier Jeremy Chardy in a 7-6 (2), 6-7 (2), 6-4 win.

Chardy saved two match points at 6-5 down in the second set. In the decider, Rublev sealed the win with his 15th ace on his fourth match point. Rublev is aiming to reach his first final of 2021 after going 5-0 in tour finals last year.

In the other half of the draw, the semifinal pits Borna Coric against qualifier Marton Fucsovics.

Coric hit 11 aces on his way to a hotly contested 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4) win over Kei Nishikori in their quarterfinal.

Fucsovics won 6-4, 6-3 over Tommy Paul.

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Russia's Karen Khachanov plays a shot against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in their quarterfinal men's singles match of the ABN AMRO world tennis tournament at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) The Associated Press

Russia's Andrey Rublev celebrates winning against France's Jeremy Chardy in three sets, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, in their quarterfinal men's singles match of the ABN AMRO world tennis tournament at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) The Associated Press

France's Jeremy Chardy plays a shot against Russia's Andrey Rublev in their quarterfinal men's singles match of the ABN AMRO world tennis tournament at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Friday, March 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) The Associated Press

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