Following a partial washout at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Thursday, Stan Wawrinka made a successful return to the court on Friday to reach his second semi-final in Doha.
The top seed defeated Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 6-4 to improve to 2-1 in quarter-finals at the 2019 ATP 250 Tournament of the Year. Wawrinka’s best result in Doha came in 2008, when the Swiss fell in the championship match against Andy Murray in three sets.
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The former World No. 3 dropped just two points behind his first serve (27/29) and saved both break points he faced to advance after 83 minutes. Wawrinka is chasing his first ATP Tour title since lifting the Banque Eric Sturdza Geneva Open trophy in 2017. The 34-year-old finished as runner-up in Rotterdam (l. to Monfils) and Antwerp (l. to Murray) last year.
Wawrinka will return to the court later in the day to face qualifier Corentin Moutet for a spot in the championship match. The #NextGenATP Frenchman outlasted Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 12 minutes to reach his first ATP Tour semi-final.
Andrey Rublev also booked his place in the semi-finals, beating Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 6-3. The 2018 runner-up, who owns a 7-2 record at the ATP 250 event, will face Miomir Kecmanovic for a place in the final. Kecmanovic was the only player to advance on Thursday, cruising past Marton Fucsovics 6-2, 6-0 in 55 minutes.
