(Halle) Andrey Rublev and Jannik Sinner reached the quarter-finals of the Halle Tennis Open on Thursday as defending champion Hubert Hurkacz was knocked out in the final set tiebreaker.

Rublev won his second-round match against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann 7-6(6), 6-3 after overcoming a 5-3 deficit in the first set tiebreaker. Rublev lost to Hanfmann in Rome last month.

“Last time he beat me and he’s playing better and better,” Rublev said. It is even more difficult to face him, especially on grass, because he has a very good service and a good game at the net. I was able to win the game in two sets, so I’m very happy. »

In the quarter-finals, Rublev will face Tallon Griekspoor, who beat Hurkacz 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (8) to show him the way out.

Griekspoor converted his fifth match point after saving a match point.

For his part, Sinner needed nearly three hours to win 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4 over fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego and reach his ninth quarter-final of the year.

Sinner saved all eight break points he faced against his friend, as they played under a closed roof due to thunderstorms in the area.

The win sent fourth-seeded Sinner through to the quarter-finals where he will face Kazakh Alexander Bublik, who won 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3 over Jan -Lennard Struff.