Francisco Cerundolo served up some swift revenge on Friday at the Almaty Open, as he took down home favourite Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets to reach the semi-finals. The fourth-seeded Argentine, who had suffered an opening-round loss to Shevchenko just two weeks prior in Shanghai, showed pure determination and skill on the court to secure his spot in the last four.
Cerundolo converted three of his six break point opportunities to claim a 6-2, 6-3 victory over his opponent. After the match, he expressed his joy and satisfaction at being able to avenge his previous defeat. He also acknowledged Shevchenko’s strong performance and complimented him on his game. However, Cerundolo was determined to turn the tables this time around and his hard work paid off.
The 26-year-old had a near-flawless serving performance, winning an astonishing 92 percent of points behind his first serve. This impressive statistic, according to Infosys ATP Stats, was a key factor in his 65-minute triumph over Shevchenko. With this victory, Cerundolo has reached his third semi-final of the year and his first on hard courts.
Cerundolo’s next opponent will be Gabriel Diallo, who caused an upset in the quarter-finals by defeating second seed Alejandro Tabilo in three sets. The Canadian, who has risen 19 spots in the rankings due to his run in Almaty, will be competing in his first ever ATP Tour quarter-final. Cerundolo has already played against Diallo in a practice session, but he plans to study his opponent further by watching his matches on video. He knows that it will be a tough match, with Diallo’s strong serving and powerful strokes making him a formidable opponent in these conditions.
The top seed of the tournament, Frances Tiafoe, also suffered a quarter-final defeat at the hands of Aleksandar Vukic in a thrilling match. Vukic, ranked 85th in the world, showcased his impressive serving abilities once again, sending down 13 aces en route to his third ATP Tour semi-final. The Australian let slip four match points in a dramatic second-set tie-break, but he finally clinched the victory after earning his fifth match point.
Vukic will face third seed Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals, after the Russian comfortably defeated home favourite Beibit Zhukayev in straight sets. The 6-2, 6-4 victory was a statement of Khachanov’s intent to claim his first title of the year. He will be a tough opponent for Vukic, but the Australian has shown his ability to handle pressure and come out on top in close matches.
The Almaty Open has been full of exciting matches and unexpected results, making it a must-watch for tennis fans. With top players such as Cerundolo, Diallo, Vukic, and Khachanov battling it out for the title, the semi-finals and finals are sure to be thrilling encounters.
The tournament has also provided a great opportunity for players to gain valuable ranking points and improve their standings. Both Cerundolo and Diallo have already seen their rankings rise due to their performances in Almaty. This is a testament to the competitiveness of the tournament and the determination of the players to make their mark on the ATP Tour.
The event has also been a chance for fans to witness some high-quality tennis in Kazakhstan. The atmosphere has been electric, with the home crowd cheering on their players and creating an exciting atmosphere for all the matches. The Almaty Open has truly showcased the growing popularity of tennis in the country and has brought together fans from all over the world to witness this spectacular event.
As the tournament reaches its final stages, all eyes will be on the players as they battle it out for the title. With Cerundolo and Vukic facing off in one semi-final and Khachanov taking on Diallo in the other, it is anyone’s game. The players have shown their determination and skill throughout the tournament, and the finals are sure to be a display of top-notch tennis.
In conclusion, the Almaty Open has been a thrilling and competitive event thus far, with players like Francisco Cerundolo making their mark and seeking revenge for past defeats. The semi-finals promise to be exciting matchups, and tennis fans should
