Alex Michelsen has maintained his unbeaten streak at the Next Gen Finals as his opponent Shang Juncheng retired during the second set. Luca Van Assche beat Nishesh Basaraveddy 3-4 (2-7) 4-3 (9-7) 4-2 4-2 to join Michelsen in the semifinals from the Red Group.
Michelsen was leading 4-1 1-1 when Shang Juncheng withdrew from the match due to illness.
Michelsen improved to 3-0 in the round robin group bouncing back from the disappointment of last year’s edition when he lost all of his three group stage matches.
Michelsen broke serve in the fourth game before serving out on his second set point.
“I feel pretty good. It feels good to be 3-0. I wish Shang could have played today, but I knew he was a little sick yesterday, so it’s unfortunate timing for him. He is a great player. I am just happy to be through”, said Michelsen.
Luca Van Assche came back from a set down to beat Nishesh Basaraveddy 3-4 (2-7) 4-3 (9-7) 4-2 4-2. The Frenchman reached his back-to-back semifinals at the Next Gen Finals. This match was a winner-takes all clash to reach the semifinals, as both players came into the match with a 1-1 record.
Basaraveddy saved three break points in the first game of the opening set before breaking in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. Van Assche converted his third break-back point in the fifth game and held serve at love to set up a tie-break. Basaraveddy raced out to a 3-0 lead in the tie-break. Van Assche pulled one mini-break back for 1-3, but Basaraveddy earned his third mini-break to take a 7-2. Basaraveddy saved three break points in the fourth game and three set points in the sixth game. Van Assche went up a 5-2 lead in the tie-break, but Basaraveddy pulled back both mini-breaks to draw level to 5-5. Van Assche saved a set point at 5-6 and won four of the five points to take the tie-break 9-7.
Van Assche broke serve in the fifth game to win the third set 4-2. The French player broke serve in the third game to take a 3-1 lead and served out on his third match point.
Van Assche is the fifth player to reach multiple semifinals at the Next Gen Finals.
Arthur Fils will join Van Assche if he beats Learner Tien in a winner-takes -all clash in Blue Group this evening.
“It was very close. I think I played at a good level. The start was tough but then I managed to play better. I managed my emotions well, especially when my head was exploding. I like to thank the public here because it was busy and they were cheering for me a lot. I am ready for the semifinals”, said Van Assche.
