ATP Challenger: Rodionov follows Ofner to the semi-finals of Astana

Like his compatriot Sebastian Ofner, Jurij Rodionov reached the semi-finals of the ATP-Challenger tournament in Astana. The left-hander defeated Maxime Janvier from France in three sets.

Jurij Rodionov has continued his good run of the last weeks in Astana. Although the 19-year-old Austrian had to give up the first set in the tiebreak against the Frenchman Maxime Janvier, he was the dominant player in the 125,000 US dollar Challenger tournament from the middle of the second set and finally won 6:7 (3), 6:4 and 6:4 after 2:02 hours.

Rodionov already started the match in the deciding set at 5:2, but had to cope with a small comeback of his opponent. In the second attempt the left-hander made it better – even if Rodionov had to fend off two more break chances.

Rodionov had defeated defending champion Egor Gerasimov in round two, but had only had problems with Belgian Yannick Mertens in the first set before. Now either Daniel Brands from Germany or the Indian Saketh Myneni is waiting.

Before that, Sebastian Ofner had already qualified for the semi-finals. Ofner defeated Aleksanddr Nedovyedsov and now has to deal with the junior winner of the French Open 2917, the Australian Alexy Popyrin.