‘Unreal’ Rublev edges ATP Finals rival

ST PETERSBURG: Russia’s Andrey Rublev edged closer to a maiden appearance in the ATP Finals when he defeated fellow London season-finale hopeful Denis Shapovalov to reach the St Petersburg final.

Rublev, the third seed, came back to defeat the second-seeded Canadian 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

“The match was unreal, in my opinion,” said Rublev who moves ahead of Diego Schwartzman into eighth position in the race to London.

“The level was high from both sides. Both of us deserved to win.”

Just two qualification positions remain vacant for the ATP Finals, to be held from Nov 15-22.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev have already qualified for the elite eight-man event.

In the other semi-final match, last year’s runner-up Borna Coric defeated 2015 champion Milos Raonic 1-6, 6-1, 6-4. — AFP

■ COLOGNE: Canada’s Felix AugerAliassime will hope to end a wretched run of five defeats in five finals when he faces German top seed Alexander Zverev for the Cologne Open title.

Auger-Aliassime, seeded third, reached his sixth career final with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in over second-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut.

Zverev is just one win from claiming his third ATP Tour title on home soil after making his 20th final by seeing off Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-5, 7-6 (7-3).

“I’ve practised with him many times back home ... hopefully tomorrow I can give myself chances to win.

“It’s going to be a great battle,” Auger

Aliassime said.