Qatar Open: Auger-Aliassime advances to last four after Medvedev retirement through illness

Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced to the last four of the Qatar Open when Russian Daniil Medvedev, the No 4 seed, retired from their match immediately after the first set.

Auger-Aliassime, ranked No 23, led 6-3 when Medvedev, ranked No 6, pulled out at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha on Thursday.

Medvedev said in a statement afterwards that he had been suffering from food poisoning, adding: “Very disappointed to end my run here in Doha like this as I feel like I was playing well. I look forward to coming back next year.” 

The Canadian will face Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 5 seed, next.

Felix Auger-Aliassime edged out French qualifier Quentin Halys (4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2)) and benefited from the forfeit of Serb Hamad Medjedovic in the previous rounds of the Doha tournament.

Earlier in the tournament, the Russian defeated Karen Khachanov (4-6, 7-5, 6-3) and Belgian Zizou Bergs (6-2, 6-1).

Doha ATP 500, other last eight results (Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, hard, USD 3.035.960, most recent results first):

• Matteo Berrettini vs. Jack Draper
• Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jiri Lehecka
• Andrey Rublev beat Alex De Minaur (2): 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (8)