Andrey Rublev edged past Tommy Paul 7-5 6-3 after 87 minutes to reach the semifinal at the Gijon Open. Rublev has improved to 4-1 in his five head-to-head matches against Paul.
Rublev, who won three ATP Tour titles in Marseille, Dubai and Belgrade and is currently sixth in the ATP Race to Turiin, has boosted his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Final.
Rublev broke serve in the second game to take a 3-0 lead. Paul saved three break points in the fourth game to hold serve at deuce before breaking back in the fifth game. Paul saved another break point in the 10th game but Rublev earned his second break in the 12th game to close out the first set 7-5.
Paul fended off a break point to hold serve at 1-1, but Rublev earned his decisive break in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. Rublev held his final two service games to close out the second set 6-3.
