Shevchenko Shocks Khachanov to Secure Spot in Metz Semi-Finals
Herbert Advances, Fognini Ousts Defending Champ Sonego
Alexander Shevchenko made a stunning upset on Thursday at the Moselle Open, securing his first-ever ATP Tour semi-final appearance.
The 22-year-old defeated third seed Karen Khachanov with a remarkable 6-4, 6-4 victory at the indoor ATP 250 in Metz. This win marks Shevchenko’s second triumph against a Top 20 opponent in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. In an intense quarter-final clash lasting 73 minutes, Shevchenko saved all three break points he faced to dethrone the World No. 15 Khachanov.
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Following his triumph over Mathias Bourgue, Mate Valkusz, and Khachanov this week in Metz, Shevchenko has climbed three spots to reach No. 60 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. This achievement sets him up for a career-high ranking next Monday. Shevchenko has had an exceptional season on the ATP Tour, securing 15 tour-level wins and reaching his first-ever quarter-final at the ATP 500 in Basel just two weeks ago.
Shevchenko’s next challenge in France will be against Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who ended #NextGenATP Luca Van Assche’s impressive run with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory. Prior to this week, Herbert had not won a tour-level singles match in over 20 months. However, he is now gearing up for the 12th ATP Tour semi-final of his career.
“The feeling is special because I think I played a great match with Luca,” said Herbert, who delivered 20 aces during his two-hour and 34-minute triumph. “It was a battle of two contrasting playing styles, and I’m thrilled that I managed to come out on top. It’s been a remarkable week… I won all three matches, and now I’m in the semi-finals.”
In the evening session at Metz, fourth seed Ugo Humbert became the second home favorite to secure a spot in the semi-finals by defeating fellow Frenchman, qualifier Harold Mayot, with a score of 6-3, 7-5. Humbert will now face Fabio Fognini, who breezed past defending champion Lorenzo Sonego with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory, marking Fognini’s first tour-level semi-final appearance of the season.