Jannik Sinner fought back from one set down to beat Andrey Rublev 4-6 7-5 6-4 reaching the semifinals at the Cincinnati Open for the first time in his career.
Sinner turned the tables against Rublev, who won their previous head-to-head match in the quarter final in Montreal.
Sinner, who turned 23 on Friday, received a walkover into the quarter final from Jordan Thompson.
Rublev broke Sinner’s serve in the second game to open up a 5-2. Sinner broke back in the ninth game, as Rublev was serving to stay in the match. Rublev broke for the second time in the 10thgame to win the first set 6-4.
Sinner improved as the match went on and hit 17 winners compared to just two for Rublev, who committed 20 unforced errors in the set.
Sinner saved two break points on serve at 3-4 in the second set before recovering from a fall to win a 26-shot rally at 4-4. Sinner broke in the 11th game to seal the second set 7-5.
Sinner opened up a 3-0 lead with two breaks of serve. Rublev pulled one break back for 1-3 in the fourth game. Sinner earned his third break in the fourth game to race out to a 5-1 lead. Sinner had to hold off a late surge from Rublev, who broke serve in the eighth game, as Rublev attempted to close out the match. Rublev won three consecutive games to claw his way back for 4-5. Sinner did not face any more break points and served out the match at the second time of asking to seal the win after 2 hours and 25 minutes.
Both players combined for 51 unforced errors (28 for Sinner and 23 for Rublev) and 12 double faults. Sinner hit 32 winners to Rublev’s 15 and fired 15 aces.
Sinner has reached his fourth Masters 1000 semifinal this season after Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo.
“It took a mental strength today. The conditions were very tough. It was very windy. In the first set he started very well and I did not play my best tennis but in the second set, I felt I had a lot of chances. I waited for my chance. I am very happy to make the semifinals”, said Sinner.
