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CHENGDU, China — Canada’s Denis Shapovalov is off to the semifinals of the Chengdu Open.
The No. 8 seed from Richmond Hill, Ont., beat Egor Gerasimov of Belarus 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in a quarterfinal on Friday at the ATP Tour 250 event.
It marks Shapovalov’s third semifinal appearance of the year. The world No. 34 can reach his first final of 2019 with a win over 63rd-ranked Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on Saturday.
Shapovalov won 85 per cent of points on first serve and notched nine aces against the 98th-ranked Gerasimov.
Shapovalov, 20, has won eight of his past 10 matches after enduring a rocky stretch following a run to the Miami Open semis in March.
Shapovalov will move up to at least 32nd in the world rankings next week. He could move as high as 25th if he wins the tournament.
The Canadian is the lone seeded player remaining in the draw.
Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan faces lucky loser Lloyd Harris of South Africa in the other semifinal.