Davidovich Fokina, Novak Move Into Montpellier QFs
Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina recovered from 1-3 down in the first set, and converted four of 10 break point opportunities, en route to beating fourth seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland 7-5, 6-2 on Thursday in one hour and 34 minutes at the Open Sud de France.
The 21-year-old will next challenge Belarusian Egor Gerasimov, who backed up Tuesday’s win over former World No. 1 Andy Murray by knocking out Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia 6-4, 7-6(4) in one hour and 51 minutes.
[WATCH LIVE 2]Austria’s Dennis Novak advanced to his second ATP Tour quarter-final after fighting back from a 3-5 deficit in the second set to knock out third seed Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 7-6(5), 7-5 in one hour and 35 minutes. Lajovic came into the ATP 250 event on the back of reaching the Australian Open fourth round (l. to Zverev).
Novak now faces German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk, who needed two hours and 28 minutes to overcome Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-3. In a big-serving contest, Gojowczyk hit 17 aces and won 86 per cent of his first-service points (60/70), while Vesely fired down 29 aces.