Adrian Mannarino, seeded second, qualified for the semi-finals of the Sofia Open 2023.
The Frenchman battled to a 6:7 (7), 6:4, 6:3 triumph against seventh seed Sebastian Offner (Austria), in 2:38 hours.
Thus, Mannarino reached the Top 4 in Sofia for the second time in his career (in 2020, he lost to Siner).
Offner has much to regret, as he was a set ahead and 4:2 in the second part. At this point, however, Mannarino found his best tennis and won 8 of the following nine games, giving him a 4-1 lead in the final set. Serving for the match, Mannarino had to fend off two consecutive break return points, managed to manage and congratulate himself on the absolute success.
The next opponent of the 35-year-old Frenchman will be the Pavel Kotov (Russia).
Kotov won in two sets former Sofia Open finalist Marton Fucsovics – 6:3, 7:6(3) to reach his second ATP semi-final in a row. In October, 24-years-old lost the final at ATP 250 tournament in Stockholm to Gael Monfils. He reached the Top 4 in Marrakech in April, too.
The semi-finals are scheduled for tomorrow.
ORDER OF PLAY – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2023
CENTER COURT start 12:00
A. Behar (URU) / A. Pavlasek (CZE) vs [3] J. Cash (GBR) / N. Mektic (CRO)
G. Escobar (ECU) / A. Nedovyesov (KAZ) vs M. Purcell (AUS) / J. Smith (AUS) or A. Golubev (KAZ) / D. Molchanov (UKR)
Not Before 16:00
J. Draper (GBR) vs [3] J. Struff (GER)
Not Before 18:00
P. Kotov vs [7] S. Ofner (AUT) or [2] A. Mannarino (FRA)
The tournament is held with the support of Inbet, Nova Broadcasting Group, А1, Diema Extra, Electrohold, Sofiamed, First Investment Bank, Europa Bullion, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Tourism.
