Qatar Open: Khachanov makes semi-finals after Ruusuvouri injury

Russian Karen Khachanov, the second seed, moved into the last 4 of the Qatar Open when Finn Emil Ruusuvuori retired, citing a back injury, at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha on Thursday afternoon.

Khachanov, ranked No 17, led 3-0 when Ruusuvuori, ranked No 43, pulled out on Thursday, explaining to the Russian that he was struggling with a back issue.

“Unfortunately I can’t serve with the back,” the Finn told Khachanov, who will face Australian Alexei Popyrin next.

In the previous round, Khachanov beat Hungarian Fabian Marozsan (6-4, 7-5).

Ruusuvuouri won against Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri (7-6 (2), 7-5) and Australian Christopher O’Connell (6-3, 6-3) in the previous rounds of the Doha tournament.

Doha ATP 250, other Quarter-Final results (Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, hard, USD 1,395,875):

• Alexei Popyrin beat Alexander Bublik (4): 6-4, 6-4
• Ugo Humbert vs. Gael Monfils
• Andrey Rublev vs. Jakub Mensik