Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev, winner of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam last Sunday, has qualified for the semi-finals of the ATP tournament in Doha without playing a match. Whut ?!
The number 8 in the world received a walk-over from Marton Fucsovics on Thursday, his opponent in the final battle in Rotterdam 4 days ago. The Hungarian is suffering from a back injury. A round earlier, Rublev, who started the tournament with a bye, had already received a walk-over from Richard Gasquet (leg injury).
Scoop
It is the first time in the history of the ATP that a player is given free passage twice in a row in connection with an opponent’s declaration. On Friday, Rublev will compete in the last 4 in Doha against the winner of the game between first-placed Austrian Dominic Thiem and Roberto Bautista Agut from Spain.
Rotterdam
Rublev won 7-6 (4) 6-4 on Sunday in Ahoy against qualifier Fucsovics, who had booked 6 victories in a row in Rotterdam.
