Defending Champions Melo/Kubot Reach Beijing Semi-finals

Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo recorded their sixth straight victory at the China Open on Thursday, beating Mao-Xin Gong and Ze Zhang 6-1, 7-5 to reach the semi-finals.

The defending champions claimed 82 per cent of first-serve points (27/33) and did not face a break point to advance after 68 minutes. The Polish-Brazilian duo, who haven’t dropped a set this week, will face Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev for a place in the championship match.

Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek also reached the last four in Beijing. The Cincinnati champions converted four of six break points to overcome Fabio Fognini and Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-4.

Seeds Fall In Tokyo Quarter-finals
Lucas Pouille and Jan-Lennard Struff saved one match point to beat third seeds Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury 3-6, 6-4, 11-9 and book their place in the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships semi-finals.

The unseeded pairing trailed 8/9 in the Match Tie-break before winning three straight points to confirm a semi-final clash against Nikola Mektic and Franko Skugor. The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters titlists edged Rohan Bopanna and Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 5-7, 11-9.

Dominic Inglot and Austin Krajicek grabbed the last remaining semi-final spot on Colosseum, beating fourth seeds Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares 7-6(6), 7-6(6). The Atlanta winners saved all four break points they faced and will meet second seeds Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin for a spot in the championship match.

Did You Know?
Struff is aiming to capture his second straight Tokyo crown. The German also lifted the trophy last year alongside two-time champion Ben McLachlan.