DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Tallon Griekspoor saved 4 match factors earlier than beating top-seeded Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5 to achieve the semifinals on the Dubai Championships on Thursday.
“Once I received the second set, I used to be really pondering ‘how am I even nonetheless on this event?’ I in all probability ought to have been on the airplane to Indian Wells already,” mentioned the Dutchman, ranked No. 47. “Generally you have to be just a little bit fortunate.”
Griekspoor had survived a first-round encounter with Roman Safiullin by saving three match factors. He then eradicated defending champion Ugo Humbert on Wednesday.
“It is my greatest win by rating,” Griekspoor mentioned after his quarterfinal victory over No. 6 Medvedev. “Simply very happy with this win. It means lots.”
Griekspoor will meet fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas for a shot on the title. Tsitsipas beat Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (5), 1-6, 6-4.
Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to arrange a semifinal in opposition to qualifier Quentin Halys, who eradicated Luca Nardi 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5).