In Antwerp, at the European Open, the top seeded Alex de Minaur, ninth in both world rankings and the Race to Turin, is close to making his debut in this year’s ATP Tour Finals but will have to tighten up his game if he is to qualify for the 8-man field and usurp Andrei Rublev who is currently in the eighth spot and is the top seed in Stokholm.
It’s never easy coming back from injury, so I am happy I was able to win today,. It took a lot of fight and effort, so I’m happy to get a first win here in Antwerp Alex de Minaur
The 25-year-old had to overcome a bit of a scare on Wednesday to make the quarter finals but did recover from dropping the first set to defeat Robert Carballes Baena 2-6 6-4 6-2 after two-hours and 18-minutes of play.
“It’s never easy coming back from injury, so I am happy I was able to win today,” de Minaur, who has been nursing a hip injury that forced him out of the Asian swing, said. “It took a lot of fight and effort, so I’m happy to get a first win here in Antwerp.
“The match is never over until the last point, that’s what I always tell myself. I’m always going to compete until the very end, and it’s helped me win a lot of matches, so I better keep doing it.”
The Australian now faces Hugo Gaston who edged Mariano Navone in thrilling second round clash eventually going through after two-hours and 50-minutes, 6-4 6-7(3) 7-6(4).
Earlier, Roberto Bautista Agut, at 36- years of age, became the oldest quarter finalist in the event’s history after defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6(2) 6-4.
Also through to the last eight is third seeded Felix Auger Aliassime who ousted Marton Fucsovics 6-7(4) 6-4 6-2.
The remaining quarter final places will be filled on Thursday.
Casper Ruud currently lies 7th in the Race to Turin
(Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images)
A similar scenario exists in Stockholm with just four of the Nordic Open quarter final places filled with the rest being played on Thursday.
Unfortunately, Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, a qualifier, failed to get past the seventh seed Tallon Griekspoor and his excellent run over recent months ends with an honourable 7-6(0) 6-3 loss to the Dutchman.
Amongst those still to play is Andrey Rublev, the top seed who is defending his spot in the Race to Turin while the second seeded Casper Ruud, currently seventh in the Race needs to hang on if he is to qualify.
The Norwegian was in action on Wednesday and made the last eight relatively comfortably, dismissing Lorenzo Sonego 6-3 7-6(3).
“I haven’t won many matches lately, so this was a nice win,” Ruud said following his win. “It was great to get my first win in Stockholm.”
The 25-year-old will next face Griekspoor and admitted it wasn’t going to be easy.
“It’s going to be really tough, Tallon is a great player, especially indoors,” said Ruud. “He has big weapons, a big serve. I am just going to do my best.”
Meanwhile the former Stockholm champion, Tommy Paul, seeded four, clinched his 42nd win of the season with a 6-2 7-6(2) win over Laslo Djere.
There was success also for Dominic Stricker who dispatched Matteo Berrettini 7-6(4) 6-4.
Over in Kazakhstan the full line up of quarter finalist has been completed, barr one match and that is the clash between qualifier Dan Evans and the top seeded Frances Tiafoe!
The winner of that match, expected late on Thursday, will face Aleksander Vukic who defeated Adrian Mannarino 7-6(4) 6-3.
Karen Khachanov will face wildcarded Beibi Zhukayez and Alexander Shevchenko takes on Francisco Cerundolo while the second seeded Alejandro Tabilo clashes with Gabriel Diallo.
