Sensation at the Open Occitanie: World number 9 Andrey Rublev eliminated in the semi-final by world number 102 Aleksandar Kovacevic

The crazy story of Aleksandar Kovacevic. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

World No. 9 and No. 1 seed at the Open Occitanie Andrey Rublev was eliminated in the semi-finals by world No. 101 and qualifier Aleksandar Kovacevic, after an incredible match by the American, who won in two sets, 7-5, 6-4, on Saturday, February 1. He will play Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final, this Sunday, February 2.

The splendid adventure continues for Aleksandar Kovacevic. The American qualified for the final of an ATP tournament for the first time in his career and he becomes the first player to have gone through qualifying to do so at the Open Occitanie.

Read also: Aleksandar Kovacevic: “With my friends, we were watching Rublev's highlights on my couch while eating Doritos… And then I beat him”

After beating defending champion Alexander Bublik, the Serbian-born New Yorker achieved the greatest feat of his career by beating the No. 1 seed and world number 9, Russian Andrey Rublev. And in just two sets, please (7-5, 6-4).

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In the final, Kovacevic will face Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime, who surprisingly beat Dutchman Jesper de Jong in the other semi-final (6-4, 7-6 [4]). The two men are coming off a first-round clash in Cincinnati, where FAA soundly beat him (6-3, 6-1).

Kovacevic's magnificent one-handed backhand

On Saturday night, the match started ideally for Kovacevic and his silky one-handed backhand. Despite a first game where he had to save two break points, the Serbian then broke to quickly lead 3-0. Before Rublev managed to break at 4-2 with an incredible passing shot at the end of the race.

The problem for the Russian was that he never managed to convert a single break point. Starting with this game at 4-4 which would have allowed him to serve for the set afterwards. Instead, Kovacevic ran away before taking the first set on the world number 9's serve (7-5).

Which started to annoy Rublev somewhat, faced with the winning shots full of success from his opponent. Here again, the Russian did not manage to convert his opportunities, once again at 4-4, before the American managed to do so, to qualify for the final.