De Minaur's Turin hunt continues, Khachanov wins Vienna thriller

Could Alex de Minaur be igniting a late charge to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals? 

The Australian advanced to the quarter-finals at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna after Flavio Cobolli was forced to retire trailing 7-6(2), 3-1. The Italian had clawed back a break of serve in the 10th game, but was unable to battle through a shoulder injury.

“I felt a little bit more comfortable in the way I was playing and moving, I think all round it was a very good level,” said de Minaur, who improved to 43-14 on the season. “Obviously, I don't want to finish the match like that by any means.

“I’m wishing Flavio a speedy recovery. He’s a hell of a player, a hell of a talent, and I am sure that all of the tennis world wants to see him back on court very soon.”

Cobolli is forced to retire due to injury ?

De Minaur is into the quarter-finals in Vienna 7-6(2), 3-1.#ErsteBankOpen | @ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/9yfoS7MlXk

De Minaur is ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, just 265 points adrift of eight-placed Andrey Rublev, who is in action in Basel on Friday. The 25-year-old is bidding to make his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals after a stellar season that has catapulted him into firm contention.

“I’m doing my best to focus on myself,” said de Minaur, when asked about the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. “There's no big expectations, I don't know how the body is going to pull up. If I just keep spending time on court, then it’s a good thing.”

De Minaur won 88 per cent (21/24) of points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys ATP Stats, in a hard-fought opening set. The second seed will next face #NextGenATP Jakub Mensik for a spot in the last four of the ATP 500. 

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Karen Khachanov kept his winning streak alive with a thrilling comeback victory over Brandon Nakashima, prevailing 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. The 28-year-old improved to six consecutive triumphs after lifting the trophy in Almaty last week.

"I'm very happy because the match became complicated," said Khachanov, who improved to 31-20 on the season. "The net was not in my favour at all today. Suddenly, after an early break, I was down 6-1. 

"From there, I was really focused. I was trying to push myself mentally and this is what happened. I'm very happy with this turnaround."

After a lacklustre opening set, Khachanov came alive in the sixth game of the second set, where he produced a delightful forehand winner to convert his third break point. From there, the World No. 24 did not blink en route to a one hour and 50-minute triumph.

Khachanov, the former No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings, will next face Matteo Berrettini, who stood firm to defeat Frances Tiafoe in a gripping second-round clash on Wednesday evening.

The Italian leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 4-0, with the last meeting coming at the 2021 Australian Open. 

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