From Tennis Majors · · 1m 20s
Van Assche reaches Masters 1000 semi-finals
Van Assche beats Hijikata to reach first Masters 1000 semi-final in Paris.
In brief
Van Assche beats Hijikata to reach first Masters 1000 semi-final in Paris. Luca Van Assche reaches his first Masters 1000 semi-final in Paris after beating qualifier Rinky Hijikata 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-5. Originally reported by Tennis Majors.
Van Assche beats Hijikata
Luca Van Assche, the last Frenchman in the draw, beat qualifier Rinky Hijikata 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-5 to reach the Rolex Paris Masters semi-finals.
Van Assche's comeback
Trailing 2-0 in the decider, Van Assche broke Hijikata to love at 6-5 and sealed the win on his first match point.
Van Assche's ranking
The win moves Van Assche into the top 35 and sets up a semi-final clash with Ben Shelton.
Hijikata's ranking
Hijikata, ranked No. 83 at the start of the week, leaves La Défense with the best ranking of his career, inside the top 60.
Van Assche's comments
Van Assche said he was happy to have turned the situation around and that the surface suited Hijikata well.
“I’m happy to have turned the situation around”
Hijikata's comments
Hijikata credited Van Assche for coming up with the goods when he needed to in the decider.
“He came up with the goods when he needed to”
Next match
Van Assche will face Ben Shelton, who beat Tommy Paul 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to reach his first Paris semi-final.
Van Assche's path
Van Assche had beaten Mariano Navone, Learner Tien, and Lorenzo Musetti to reach the quarter-finals.
The one thing
Luca Van Assche reaches his first Masters 1000 semi-final in Paris after beating qualifier Rinky Hijikata 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-5.
