Alexander Bublik came back from one set down to beat Denis Shapovalov 1-6 7-6 (14-12) 6-3 at the Open Sud France in Montpellier.
Bublik clinched his first win since reaching the semifinals in Adelaide.
Shapovalov broke three times to win the opening set 6-1. Bublik did not face a break point until Shapovalov earned a match point on return at 6-5. Bublik saved it to hold his service game. The Kazakh player fended off two match points on serve in a marathon tie-break before sealing the win on his fifth opportunity.
Bublik converted his third break point in the second game of the third set to open up a 3-0 lead. He dropped just one point on serve and closed out the third set on his first match point with his 10th ace after 2 hours and a half hours.
“Denis is a former top 10 player on the way back from injury. Playing against was a disaster in the first couple of sets, but I was lucky at the end, I used my chances and I got the win so I am really happy”, said Bublik.
Flavio Cobolli fought back from one set down to beat French veteran Gael Monfils 6-7 (8-10) 6-3 6-0 in 2 hours and 35 minutes. The 21-year-old Italian recently came through the qualifying round to reach the third round at the Australian Open. He beat Nicholas Jarry in the first round in Melbourne claiming his first top 20 win. The Italian player won nine of the last 10 games.
Cobolli will face Frenchman Constant Lestienne, who beat Bernabe Zapata Miralles 4-6 6-4 6-2.
Monfils converted his third break point in the second game of the first set and held serve at love to open up a 3-0 lead. Cobolli broke back on his second opportunity in the fifth game. The Italian player converted his fifth break point in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Monfils broke straight back in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. Cobolli saved three set points. Monfils sealed the tie-break on his fourth set point after saving a set point at 7-8.
Cobolli saved two break points in the first game of the second set before breaking serve in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. Monfils broke straight back in the fifth game from 2-3.
Cobolli earned a second break in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. The Italian player closed out the second set on his second set point.
Cobolli broke three times to take a bagel win in the third set. He converted 7 of his 16 break points.
“I loved to share the court with Monfils. He is an amazing legend of our sport, so I love to play with him. I am really proud because after the first set it was really tough to come back in this match, but I am really happy for the win and I am looking forward to the next match”, said Cobolli.
Alexander Schevchenko overcame Dalibor Svrcina 6-4 4-6 6-4. US Michael Mmoh edged Alexandre Muller 6-4 6-4 to reach the quarter finals.
