The quarter-finals were played at the European Open today and they immediately caused fireworks. First seed Alex De Minaur (ATP-9) lost in the quarterfinals against Frenchman Hugo Gaston (ATP-77), second seed Stefanos Tsitsipás (ATP-11) lost against Czech Jiri Lehecka (ATP-33) and third seed and former winner Félix Auger-Aliassime (ATP-21) lost against Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut (ATP-60). Finally, our compatriot Zizou Bergs (ATP-69) also had to pack up. He lost against American Marcos Giron (ATP-47).
We started today with the duel between third seed Félix Auger-Aliassime (ATP-21) and 36-year-old Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut (ATP-60), former world number 9. The 24-year-old Canadian Auger-Aliassime (ATP-21), former winner in 2020, took the first game of the match with an ace and then continued on that momentum. After going through his opponent’s serve at 3-2, he did not relinquish his advantage. (6-3) However, Bautista Agut (ATP-60), 11 ATP titles to his name and the oldest quarter-finalist in the tournament’s history, did not give in and, after a quick 3-0 in the second set, levelled the scores again. (3-6)
The Spaniard continued that streak in the third set and was able to serve for a win at 5-3. Auger-Aliassime (ATP-21) kept hope alive for a while and broke back immediately but eventually had to lose in the decisive tiebreak. After 2 hours and 42 minutes, Roberto Bautista Agut (ATP-60) qualified at the expense of third seed Félix Auger-Aliassime (ATP-21) and reached the semi-finals of an ATP tournament for the twelfth consecutive season.
Alex De Minaur loses against Frenchman Gaston
In the second quarterfinal it was the turn of Australian and first seed Alex De Minaur (ATP-9). He had to get past Frenchman Hugo Gaston (ATP-77), a quarter-finalist in Antwerp last year. De Minaur (ATP-9), who lost to Gaston (ATP-77) at Roland Garros in 2022, had a difficult start just like in the previous round. He soon lost his serve and could not pick up that lost ground in the first set. (6-3)
In the second set, the Australian straightened his back and was soon able to develop his normal pace. De Minaur fought his way back into the match (6-3) and a third set had to determine the winner in this second quarterfinal as well. Gaston offered a lot of resistance in that third set and eventually forced De Minaur to his knees. (6-3, 3-6, 7-5) A painful exit for the top-ten player who thus also does a poor job in the race to the ATP Finals in Turin. Gaston (ATP-77) reached the semi-finals in an ATP tournament for the third time in his career and will take on Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut (ATP-60) tomorrow.
Tsitsipás loses to Czech Lehecka
In the first of two evening matches, second seed Stefanos Tsitsipás (ATP-11) took on fifth seed Jiri Lehecka (ATP-33) in his quarterfinal. No easy task, the Greek also lost in their last confrontation, and that quickly became clear today. The Czech, who has been impressing all tournament, needed only one break to win the first set. (6-4)
Tsitsipás, looking for a third semi-final in as many participations, was also quickly behind in the second set. An early break ensured that the second seed could also pack his bags. (6-4, 6-4) Czech Lehecka thus reached his sixth semi-final of the season and is a favourite for the final victory.
Zizou Bergs says goodbye to home crowd
In the last quarterfinal, it was the turn of our compatriot Zizou Bergs (ATP-69). He faced Marcos Giron (ATP-47). The Belgian tennis star was propelled forward by a delirious crowd but soon had to pursue his opponent. The American, one of the revelations of the tournament, made our compatriot hesitate. The young Belgian player found no solutions and lost the first set hopelessly. (6-2)
The spectators put themselves behind their crowd favourite once more in the second set, but to no avail. Bergs fought for all he was worth, but eventually had to accept defeat in the second set as well. (6-2) Bergs also represented Belgian tennis greatly this week and undoubtedly hopes to have a shot at overall victory in the next editions.
Doubles: Austrians Erler (ATP-54) and Miedler (ATP-68) first finalists
In the doubles tournament, a semi-final was already finished today. Austrians Erler (ATP-54) and Miedler (ATP-68), who only yesterday sent home Belgian duo Gillé (ATP-31) -Vliegen (ATP-31), defeated Dutch-British duo Johnson (ATP-72) and Arends (ATP-65) in three sets after an exciting match.
They will take on the winner of the Haase (ATP-71)-Pel (ATP-177) versus Galloway (ATP-38)-Nedovyesov (ATP-57) match in the final.