Top-seeded Holger Rune of Denmark held off Russia’s Alexander Shevchenko 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the Brisbane International quarterfinals in Australia.
Rune saved five of six break points and registered 12 aces and 39 winners against just 11 unforced errors to win in two hours and 29 minutes. Up next is Australia’s James Duckworth, a three-set winner against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann.
Also advancing to the quarterfinals were Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi and Russia’s Roman Safiullin. Fourth-seeded Ugo Humbert of France defeated Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-4 in a first-round match.
Hong Kong Tennis Open
No. 3 seed Frances Tiafoe toppled Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 7-6 (4) to reach the quarterfinals in Hong Kong.
Tiafoe won 88 percent of the points on his first serve, including eight aces, and saved all three break points. He will face China’s Juncheng Shang, who outlasted Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2).
Russia’s Pavel Kotov and Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori will meet in another quarterfinal. Ruusuvuori knocked out No. 2 seed Karen Khachanov of Russia 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-2 and Kotov eliminated No. 6 Lorenzo Musetti of Italy 6-4, 6-3.
–Field Level Media