Rublev joins Chung in Next Gen semifinals

MILAN — Russia’s Andrey Rublev who ended the hopes of Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov to reach last four of Next Gen ATP Finals. He joins South Korea’s Chung Hyeon who topped Group A.

Chung was pushed hard by Italian qualifier Gianluigi Quinzi before winning 1-4 4-1 4-2 3-4(6) 4-3(3) in the first match to go past two hours at the inaugural event showcasing the world’s best players aged 21 and under plus a batch of new rules.

Rublev, at 37th the highestranked player in the tournament, looked in trouble against Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov in the evening session when he needed treatment on blisters.

But the rugged 20-year-old edged home in a deciding set tiebreak, winning 4-1 3-4(8) 4-3(2) 0-4 4-3(3) to take runners-up spot in Group A in another match that went past two hours.

Another Russian, Daniil Medvedev, fared better as the world number 65 beat American Jared Donaldson 3-4(3) 4-2 4-3(1) 4-0 for his second victory in Group B.

He was left sweating on hopes of a victory by Croatia’s Borna Coric against Russian Karen Khachanov later on Thursday to guarantee a place in Friday’s semifinals.

Chung offered a new twist to the debate about shot-clock, one of several innovations being tested including short sets played to four games and no advantage points.

The 21-year old is a big fan of the scoreboard ticking down for the 25-second rule between points — saying it meant he knew exactly how long he had to clean his distinctive whiteframed spectacles.

In the past he has incurred the wrath of the chair umpire by going over time, but avoided that fate on Thursday in a match that lasted two hours and six minutes.

“I like shot clock, because sometimes I get a warning because I have to clean my glasses,” said Chung. —