(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Chinthana Wasala |
The Peninsula
Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech earned the 'biggest' win of his career when he shocked top seed Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, yesterday.
The victory set the 26-year-old a meeting against the defending champion Nikoloz Basilashvili, who eliminated Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a thrilling quarter-final yesterday.
“It feels pretty good, especially when it's your best win in your career. I think so. I'm not going to complain and enjoy it tonight,” Rinderknech said after defeating the World No. 12 Canadian yesterday.
“It feels great to win and be through to the semi-finals, especially against a great player,” Rinderknech said.
“I am really happy. I worked pretty hard during the off-season, I think my body is in good shape, which helps,” he said.
Rinderknech has only played against Basilashvili once in his career – in Halle, with the Georgian winning the clash.
Meanwhile, Basilashvili was happy after making it to the last four in back-to-back appearances in Doha – but said the conditions were different this time.
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“I think today we had really tough conditions, especially for me. It got a little bit cold and windy. So it was really difficult to control the ball. It needed a lot of fitness to approach the ball and execute a shot. So I got a little bit tired in the end and but I'm really happy that I was able to get through in the end,” Basilashvili said.
The 6'1” tall Georgian said he is ready to defend the title.
“I love coming back here. I really like this centre court, but every tournament is new. So there are expectations. But I will come and defend my title. I just love coming back here and looking forward again to play in the semi-final,” he said.
“We (Rinderknech) played actually last year once on grass courts and I know how he's playing. I think he's improved a lot lately and it will be interesting. But she has big serve, very good volleys and lines. So let's see. It will be interesting,” Basilashvili said.
Spanish sensation and former champion in Doha - Roberto Bautista Agut also reached the last four after handing his compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina a crushing defeat of 6-1, 6-1.
Last year's finalist Bautista Agut has dropped just three games in his opening two matches this week, having downed former World No.1 Andy Murray 6-0, 6-1 on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old did not face a break point against Davidovich Fokina en route to his 76-minute win.
The World No. 16 now meets Russian Karen Khachanov who yesterday beat Marin Cilic of Croatia, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
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