Musetti Makes Third Straight Chengdu Semifinal
Musetti faces Shevchenko and Nakashima takes on qualifier Tabilo in tomorrow’s semifinals
Top seed Lorenzo Musetti continues to build on his Chengdu Open legacy, defeating qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 16 minutes to become the first player to reach the semifinals three times, and the first to record seven match wins at the tournament.
After an early break in the opening game, the world No.9 saw his serve broken in the fourth, but quickly regained control with additional breaks in the fifth and ninth games to take the first set. Musetti dominated on serve in the second, facing no break points and converting a decisive break in the eighth game to close out the match.
“I think I had a solid performance and it was exactly what I needed. I knew against Niko I had to stay focused on every point because he’s aggressive when he gets the chance. I wasn’t as strong on serve as I would have liked at the start, but I improved as the match went on. I love to play and love to fight here in Chengdu, so I’m happy to be in the semis again,” said the 23-year-old.
Meanwhile, American fourth seed Brandon Nakashima battled past compatriot Marcos Giron 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(3) in two hours and 12 minutes to reach his third ATP Tour semifinal of the year.
After taking the first set, the world No.33 struggled to make inroads in the second, conceding breaks in the sixth and eighth games as Giron levelled the match. The decider proved tense, with both players holding serve until the tiebreak. Nakashima struck first in the tiebreak, winning the opening point against serve, then secured another mini-break in the ninth point to go 6-3 up, before sealing the victory with an ace.
“It was a super tough match against Marcos. He’s a good friend of mine and a great competitor who fights for every point. I’m happy I was able to close it out in the end with a few crucial points,” said the 24-year-old.
Chilean qualifier and former world No.19 Alejandro Tabilo showed glimpses of his best form today, rallying past Australia’s Christopher O’Connell 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in a two-hour and 24-minute quarterfinal at the Chengdu Open.
The 28-year-old started brightly, breaking O’Connell early to lead 2-0, but the Aussie bounced back, winning the next four games and taking the first set. Shaking off the early setback, Tabilo played with renewed intensity through the next two sets, saving three break points and converting five of eight to secure the win.
The win earns the Chilean his eighth ATP Tour semifinal, his first since Mallorca last year where he claimed his second career title, and his second hard-court semifinal since Auckland 2024, where he captured his maiden crown.
“I started off well but lost some concentration. I’m just really happy I was feeling good physically and could recover mentally. The atmosphere was great todayand I even saw some Chilean fans, which is amazing here in China,” said the world No.112, who is set to re-enter the Top 100 with the points gained from his Chengdu Open run.
In tonight’s rain-interrupted closing match on Center Court, Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko defeated Japan’s Taro Daniel 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-2 in two hours and 15 minutes to reach only the second ATP Tour semifinal of his career.
“It means a lot to make the semifinal here. I haven’t been in a semis since Metz in 2023, so for me it’s a great achievement. Tomorrow I have a really tough opponent, so let’s see if I can go even further,” said the 24-year-old.
In doubles, the German-Dutch pairing of Constantin Frantzen and Robin Haase moved into the final after defeating Diego Hidalgo and Patrik Trhac 6-2, 6-4 in 58 minutes. The duo, who began partnering in July, reached the US Open quarterfinals last month, and the victory sets up Haase’s 25th career doubles final and Frantzen’s fourth.
Tomorrow, the remaining doubles semifinal will feature fourth-seeded British-American pair Luke Johnson and Austin Krajicek against American-Dutch duo Vasil Kirkov and Bart Stevens on Center Court at 3pm.
The singles semifinals will follow not before 5pm, starting with Nakashima vs Tabilo. The pair have met twice before, with Tabilo winning at the 2024 Miami Masters first round, and Nakashima prevailing in their Davis Cup encounter last year.
“He’s been playing some great tennis in the last few weeks and he’s always going to be a Top 20 or Top 30 player. It’s going to be another tough match for sure,” said Nakashima ahead of the clash.
Tomorrow’s action concludes with the clash between Musetti and Shevchenko, who have met just once before, with the Italian prevailing in straight sets at the 2023 French Open.
Tickets for the 2025 Chengdu Open are available via the Damai App, as well as through the WeChat and Alipay Mini Programs.
The tournament is organised by the Chinese Tennis Association and Chengdu Municipal Government, co-organised by the Chengdu Sports Bureau, Shuangliu District Government, the Chengdu Culture and Tourism Group, promoted by IMG and the Sichuan Investment International Tennis Centre Development Co., Ltd, and operated by the Chengdu Sports Events Industry Development Co., Ltd.
The Chengdu Open is also very proud to have the support of our distinguished partners, including Chengdu Rural Commercial Bank, CSWADI Photon Technology Co., People’s Insurance Company of China, Bank of Chengdu, Li-Ning, the ATP Tour’s Premier Partner Emirates, Yonex, Jingdong Logistics, Gran Melia Chengdu, Lynk & Co, Damai, Yi-Mian, COFCO Coca-Cola, Chengdu Radio and Television, Youku Sports, Tencent Sports, Migu and Bilibili.
