Qatar Open: Khachanov makes semi-finals after Ruusuvouri injury
Karen Khachanov benefited from the abandonment of Emil Ruusuvuori (3-0) on Thursday. He’ll face Australian Alexei Popyrin in the next round
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Russian Karen Khachanov, the second seed, moved into the last 4 of the Qatar Open when Finn Emil Ruusuvuori retired, citing a back injury, at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha on Thursday afternoon.
Khachanov, ranked No 17, led 3-0 when Ruusuvuori, ranked No 43, pulled out on Thursday, explaining to the Russian that he was struggling with a back issue.
“Unfortunately I can’t serve with the back,” the Finn told Khachanov, who will face Australian Alexei Popyrin next.
In the previous round, Khachanov beat Hungarian Fabian Marozsan (6-4, 7-5).
Ruusuvuouri won against Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri (7-6 (2), 7-5) and Australian Christopher O’Connell (6-3, 6-3) in the previous rounds of the Doha tournament.
Doha ATP 250, other Quarter-Final results (Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, hard, USD 1,395,875):
- Alexei Popyrin beat Alexander Bublik (4): 6-4, 6-4
- Ugo Humbert vs. Gael Monfils
- Andrey Rublev vs. Jakub Mensik
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