DUBAI: Lloyd Harris became the first qualifier to reach the semifinals of the Dubai Championships after beating Kei Nishikori 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to extend his run of upsets this week.

The 81st-ranked South African saved two break points in the third set before breaking Nishikori for a 5-3 lead. Harris, who also knocked out top-seeded Dominic Thiem in the second round, finished with 14 aces.

He will next face third-seeded Denis Shapovalov, who beat Jeremy Chardy 7-5, 6-4 to reach his first tour semi-final in five months.

In a rematch of the Rotterdam final played less than two weeks ago, Andrey Rublev beat Marton Fucs­ovics 7-5, 6-2 to set up an all-Rus­sian semi-final against Aslan Karatsev. Karatsev upset a seeded player for the third round in a row by beating No. 16 Jannik Sinner 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-2.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2021