ZCZC
BSP-05
TENNIS-ATP-USA
De Minaur advances to semi-finals of Atlanta Open
LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Alex de Minaur advanced to his
second semi-final of the year after Bernard Tomic retired because of an
injury in their all-Aussie matchup at the ATP Atlanta Open on Friday.
De Minaur, who won the Sydney International title in January, was leading
6-2 and 3-0 when Tomic called it quits.
“It’s not ideal obviously for him, but I’ll take this any day of the week.
I got here to play some good tennis, and ended up with the win,” said de
Minaur of Sydney. “I hope Bernard gets better and recovers, and hopefully
he’s all good for the next tournament.”
Tomic bowed out of the quarter-final contest because of a hand injury after
having his serve broken three times.
The third-seeded de Minaur will next face American Reilly Opelka, who beat
Daniel Evans of Great Britain 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 to reach the semi-finals in
Atlanta for the second time.
The 20-year-old de Minaur was dominant on serve, winning all but one of his
first-serve points. He did not face a break point against the 26-year-old
Tomic.
Elsewhere, Brit Cameron Norrie prevailed 7-5, 6-4 over Australia’s Alexei
Popyrin.
Norrie will face second-seeded Taylor Fritz who beat Serbia’s Miomir
Kecmanovic 6-1, 7-6 (7/1).
“I’m pumped to get through that. It wasn’t easy because he’s young, up-and-
coming and talented,” said Norrie. “It’s another semi-final now, so I’m just
going to look to keep my level and keep pushing for more.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/0928 hrs