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Hong Kong Tennis Open: Rublev battles past powerful teen Fils, will face Shang in semi-finals

  • Andrey Rublev beats Arthur Fils 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 in enthralling encounter at Victoria Park
  • Top-seeded Russian will now take on China’s latest young star Shang Juncheng

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Russia’s Andrey Rublev hits a return to France’s Arthur Fils during their men’s quarter-final the Hong Kong Open. Photo: AFP

Andrey Rublev battled his way into the semi-finals of the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open, beating Arthur Fils in three sets on Friday.

The Russian withstood some powerful hitting and a one-sided second set to see off the French teenager 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 at Victoria Park.

Next up for the top seed is China’s Shang Juncheng, who beat Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-4. Sebastian Ofner will take on Emil Ruusuvuori in Saturday’s other semi-final.

Rublev had called his second-round victory over Liam Broady on Thursday “stressful”, but said the quarter-final was “the opposite”, despite it going the distance.

“I was feeling really comfortable on court,” Rublev said. “I was feeling the ball really good, and Arthur [Fils], I think he played also really good tennis.

“Arthur played really well in the beginning of the second set when he broke me, and then it was 3-0, and then he played one more good game and it was 4-0 out of nowhere. I didn’t really even have chances.”

Arthur Fils serves to Andrey Rublev during their men’s quarter-final. Photo: AFP
Arthur Fils serves to Andrey Rublev during their men’s quarter-final. Photo: AFP
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