The semi-finalists of the 2023 European Open are known. Stefanos Tsitsipas faces French sensation Arthur Fils. On the other side of the table, qualifier Maximilan Marterer will fight Alexander Bublik for a spot in the final.
First series head Stefanos Tsitsipas faced Yannick Hanfmann in a packed Lotto Arena. It was not the first time the two tennis stars looked each other in the eye on the tennis court. Earlier this year, they played against each other at the Mallorca tournament. It was the German who was victorious after an exciting three-setter. However, the match at the European Open did not go the same way. Now the Greek was looking for revenge. The number 7 on the world ranking list put Hanfmann under pressure immediately and quickly went through his serve. One break was enough to win the set by a score of 6-3. Hanfmann could not find solutions to counter Tsitsipas in set two either and he had to relinquish his serve again. The Greek won the match by a score of 6-3 and 6-3.
The first semi-final of the European Open was one between Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Alexander Bublik. Both men were very keen to secure their place in the semi-finals and this was evident in the match. The third series seed of the tournament started his match strongly. He was able to go through Mpetshi Perricard’s monster serve and win the first set 6-4. In the second set, the roles were reversed. This time, Bublik was unable to go through his opponent’s serve and, on top of that, had to surrender his serve game once himself. Mpetshi saw his chance and grabbed it with both hands. He did not let go and won set two 4-6. In a decisive third set, it was again Bublik who dictated pace of play. Some delicious shots got him a quick break. The Frenchman could not find an answer to Bublik’s creative play and once again delivered his serve. Bublik remained calm and served out the match. It was 6-4, 4-6 and 6-2.
Hugo Gaston also returned to action. The world number 96 took on qualifier Maximilian Marterer. Marterer took control and managed to knock the Frenchman out of the tournament in two relatively easy sets. The German thus continued his handsome surprising run.
French sensation Arthur Fils closed Center Court with a match against Juan Pablo Varillas. The Frenchman seemed to take no pity on his opponent and immediately grabbed the Peruvian by the throat: 6-0 it was in no time. In the second set, Varillas briefly got into his game, but Fils was not going to ease the pace. He kept going on his momentum and won the second set 6-3.
