Karatsev Upsets Norrie In Zhuhai, Korda v Khachanov SF

In Zhuhai at the Huafa Properties Zhuhai Championships in quarterfinal play Sunday, Aslan Karatsev upended the 2nd-seeded Cameron Norrie in straights 7-6(7-5), 7-6(7-5).

The 30-year-old Karatsev hit nine aces in the two breaker win, and lost a total of seven points on serve.

Norrie served for the second at 5-4 but lost a tough 12-point game.

The 8th-seeded Yoshihito Nishioka is next for Karatsev after bouncing No. 3 Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 7-5. Nishioka had 7 love holds to reach his seventh career tour-level semifinal.

No. 4 seed Sebastian Korda overwhelmed 5th-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straights 6-1, 6-2. He’ll now take on top seed Karen Khachanov who topped Mackenzie McDonald 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

“It was very tough,” Khachanov said to the ATP. “A mental and physical match. I was behind from the beginning and he was leading the match. I had to try to push and bring all the energy to change the momentum and the way the match was going and I think in the second set from 4-4 I was able to push through and win the second set. It gave me extra confidence and in the third set to be more in a leading position towards the end of the match.”

Khachanov and Korda have split four head-to-head encounters on tour. Khachanov was victorious in their last contest in the Australian Open quarters this year.