The Spanish Robert Baptistsecond favourite, extended the good moment he showed in his previous round against the British Andy Murray and overwhelmed his compatriot Alexander Davidovich to place in the semifinals of the Doha tournament.
Baptist, who was champion of this competition in 2019 and a finalist last year, beat his countryman 6-1, 6-1 in one hour and sixteen minutes. He will seek his first final of 2022 against the winner of the duel between the Russian Karen Khachanovseeded sixth, and Croatian Marin Cilic.
Robert Baptistcurrently sixteenth in the world, did not give option to Davidovichwith whom he had lost last year in Rotterdam in the only previous duel between the two.
The tennis player from Castellón, who in two games has only yielded three games, one against Murray and two against Davidovichonly reached the third round at the Australian Open and the quarters in Montpellier this season.
The reigning champion, Georgian, also reached the semi-finals. Nikoloz Basilashvilithird favourite, who came from behind against the Hungarian Martin Fucsovics (1-6, 6-3 and 7-5) to meet the Dutchman Arthur Rinderknech that gave the surprise of the session by leaving the first seed, the Canadian, out of the tournament Denis Shapovalowhom he beat by a double 6-4.