Top seed Karatsev eliminated from Astana Open, home favourite Monfils marches on in Metz

Written by Sports Desk. Posted in ATP. | 23 September 2021 | 1205 Views
Tags: Tennis, Alex De Minaur, Alexander Bublik, Aslan Karatsev, Atp, Dusan Lajovic, Egor Gerasimov, Filip Krajinovic, Gael Monfils, Hurbert Hurkacz, James Duckworth, Lucas Pouille, Marcos Giron, Miomir Kecmanovic, Open De Moselle, Peter Gojowczyk, Philipp Kohlschreiber

Top seed Aslan Karatsev exited the Astana Open at the last-16 stage with a straight-sets defeat to Emil Ruusuvuori on Thursday.

World number 84 Ruusuvuori saved a set point in the first-set tie-break on his way to a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 victory and will now face Ilya Ivashka for a place in the semi-finals.

There was nearly another upset as home hopeful Alexander Bublik, seeded second, had to recover from a set down to overcome Miomir Kecmanovic 2-6 6-3 7-5.

Carlos Taberner awaits Bublik in the next round after the Spaniard beat Egor Gerasimov 5-7 7-6(5) 7-5.

Kwon Soon-woo and James Duckworth saw off Dusan Lajovic and Filip Krajinovic respectively in straight sets to remain a course for glory.

At the Moselle Open in Metz, meanwhile, Gael Monfils took out Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6(2) 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals on home soil.

Tournament favourite Hubert Hurkacz made light work of 2016 champion Lucas Pouille with a 6-2 6-3 victory to set up a meeting with Andy Murray in the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere on Thursday, German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk proved too strong for Karen Khachanov and will now face Marcos Giron, who upset fourth seed Alex de Minaur.