Mannarino moves on as Sofia semi-finals are set

ATP Sofia Open, quarter-finals

Mannarino d. Albot 6-2, 1-6, 6-3
Pospisil d. Millman 6-3, 6-2
Sinner d. De Minaur 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1
Gasquet d. Caruso 7-6(4), 7-5

• Key info: The semi-finals at the ATP Sofia Open are now set.
• You will also learn: How the unseeded Vasek Pospisil got to the final four.
• Why read this story: Three of the four semi-finalists in Sofia are unseeded.

Fifth seed Adrian Mannarino will face unseeded teenager Jannik Sinner for a place in the final of the ATP Sofia Open.

The Frenchman was given a bit of a test in his quarter-final by Romania’s Radu Albot, who pushed him to three sets.

But Mannarino came through 6-2, 1-6, 6-3, hitting seven aces as he continued a fine run of form which extends back to Cologne last month, with ten wins out of 13 matches.

Italy’s Sinner will go into Friday’s encounter on a high after beating third seed Alex de Minaur in an upset of his own, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1.

Unseeded

The other semi-final will be contested by two other unseeded players – Vasek Pospisil and Richard Gasquet.

Pospisil pulled off a shock when he defeated sixth seed John Millman of Australian in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, in their quarter-final.

[6] J. Millman (Australia) vs V. Pospisil (Canada) 3:6, 2:6
.@VasekPospisil @johnhmillman #SofiaOpen #ATP #Tennis #Sofia #Bulgaria 🎾🏆
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📸 Sofia Open /Lap.bg pic.twitter.com/rtB7VjK1KX

— Sofia Open (@sofiaopentennis) November 12, 2020

The Canadian won 24 of 28 points on his first serve and raced through to win in just 72 minutes.

And veteran Gasquet beat Italy’s Salvatore Caruso 7-6(4), 7-5 to seal the last remaining place and reach his first semi-final of the year.

• Also watch: The top players fear Sinner – Eye of the Coach #27
• Also see: Sinner ousts de Minaur in marquee match-up