It’s Rublev vs Pella and Thiem vs Monfils in Qatar ExxonMobil Open semifinals
Rising Russian star Andrey Rublev blasted his way through to the semifinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Thursday, brushing aside Croat Borna Coric in straight sets.
The 20-year-old won his tie 6-3, 7-5 following a powerful display of hitting against Coric, who had accounted for the number two seed Pablo Carreno Busta in the first round.
Rublev confirmed his status as one of the game's emerging stars by hitting 35 winners in a dominant performance. The world number 39 will play Guido Pella, ranked 64, in the semifinals.
The Argentinian easily saw off Bosnian qualifier Mirza Basic 6-2, 6-3.
Austria’s Dominic Thiem, the only seed left in the competition, defeated Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
French wildcard Gael Monfils sealed the final semifinal spot by beating Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk 6-3, 7-6 (8).
