Aleksandar Vukic’s breakthrough week in Atlanta has continued with a win over Christopher Eubanks in the quarterfinals. Alexei Popyrin is through to the Umag semifinals.
Atlanta, United States, 29 July 2023 | Matt Trollope
Atlanta, USA
Aleksandar Vukic has continued his brilliant week on American hard courts by outplaying Christopher Eubanks to reach the Atlanta semifinals.
It is Vukic’s first ever tour-level semifinal, and it came thanks to a 6-4 6-4 win over Eubanks, the recent Wimbledon quarterfinalist.
Eubanks may have been the better-known and more highly-fancied prospect, especially given he had the backing of a home crowd.
But Vukic improved his head-to-head record against the American to 5-2, including 4-1 this season alone.
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Some special tennis on the way from @Vuki_SMASH23 as he defeats Eubanks to reach a first tour-level semifinal!#AtlantaOpen pic.twitter.com/jf3l3oJFyZ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 29, 2023
Vukic built a 6-4 4-1 lead, and although Eubanks earned a break point to level the second set at 4-4, Vukic remained steady.
The Australian has now beaten the world No.31 and No.32 — the highest-ranked opponents he has ever defeated — in back-to-back matches, and is projected to rise to a career-best ranking of world No.74.
His opponent in the semifinals is Ugo Humbert, who beat Vukic’s countryman Alex de Minaur in straight sets.
De Minaur was the defending champion on a nine-match winning streak in Atlanta.
In doubles, John Peers won his quarterfinal alongside Marcelo Melo to set up a semifinal showdown with all-Aussie pairing Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson.
Peers and Melo progressed on Friday with a tight win over Americans William Blumberg and Rajeev Ram, concluding 13-11 in a match tiebreak.
Aussies in action – Atlanta
RESULTS
Men’s singles, quarterfinals
Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) d [5] Christopher Eubanks (USA) 6-4 6-4
[7] Ugo Humbert (FRA) d [2] Alex de Minaur (AUS) 7-6(4) 6-3
Men’s doubles, quarterfinals
John Peers (AUS)/Marcelo Melo (BRA) v William Blumberg (USA)/Rajeev Ram (USA) 6-3 3-6 [13-11]
COMING UP
Men’s singles, semifinals
Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) v [7] Ugo Humbert (FRA)
Men’s doubles, semifinals
Max Purcell (AUS)/Jordan Thompson (AUS) v John Peers (AUS)/Marcelo Melo (BRA)
Umag, Croatia
Alexei Popyrin has progressed to his first ATP semifinal in two-and-a-half years by way of a straight sets win over local wildcard Dino Prizmic.
In a battle between Roland Garros boys’…
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