Defending champion:
João Sousa who defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-4 6-4
Quarter finals
- Wildcard David Goffin (4) v Malek Jaziri
The only meeting between the two was in Shenzhen in 2016, when Jaziri was successful in three sets.
Today Jaziri served first and although taken to deuce managed to hold on. Goffin has less trouble, and lost only one point to level at 1-1. The Belgian then broke Jaziri for an early edge in the quarter final.
The first serve percentage for the Tunisian was low, and it reflected in his difficulty holding serve. Also, Goffin was able to win a fair ratio of points when the first serve of Jaziri was in play. A break point had to be saved in the fifth game for Jaziri to remain in touch at 2-3.
Goffin appeared to be travelling ok at 30-15 in the sixth game, but it all changed with Jaziri taking the next two points and gaining his first break chance for the match. It was saved, but a second opportunity arose and this one was converted, leaving the set tied at 3-3.
Jaziri was skating on thin ice, saving break points in both the seventh and ninth games, to actually lead 5-4. Goffin, now serving to stay in the set, failed on the first set point, and against most of the play Jaziri led 6-4.
In set two, Goffin broke twice to be in a commanding position, 4-1 with serve to come. A stumble occurred, Jaziri breaking to love, but Goffin immediately prevailed in a lengthy game, breaking on the third chance, to be just a game away from squaring the contest. Jaziri escaped, saving a set point open route to breaking Goffin. He cracked the Belgian serve again to level things at 5-5.
A quick service hold and Jaziri led 6-5, Goffin now sent to the line serving to stay in the match.
A timely love game from Goffin determined that the set would be decided in a tie break.
With both players winning two points against the others serve, points reached 4-4. Goffin then won a key point against the Tunisian serve. He served out the set with his next two serves and the match stood at 4-6 7-6(4).
Goffin dominated the decider, winning 74% of points on his serve, Jaziri just 48% on his. Goffin only face one break point for the set; Jaziri faced six, two which were converted into service breaks. At 2-5, Jaziri fell behind 15-40 and this represented two match points. One was saved but not the second, and David Goffin won the clash 4-6 7-6(4) 6-2.
- Stefanos Tsitsipas (1) defeated qualifier Joao Domingues 7-6(3) 6-4
- Qualifier Alejandro Davidovich Fokina defeated Gael Monfils (3) 6-7(2) 7-5 6-4
- Lucky loser Pablo Cuevas defeated Frances Tiafoe (8) 6-0 6-7(5) 6-2
Semi final match ups
Stefanos Tsitsipas (1) v wildcard David Goffin (4)
Qualifier Alejandro Davidovich Fokina v lucky loser Pablo Cuevas
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