Shevchenko Stun Holger Rune to reach quarter finals in Rotterdam

Alexander Shevchenko reached unprecedented heights in his rapid ascent at the ATP tour since last year on Thursday at the ABN AMRO Open.

The 23-year-old Kazakhstani upset World No. 7 Holger Rune 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 to book a quarter-final spot at the indoor ATP 500 in Rotterdam.

Alexander Shevchenko It was the biggest win of Shevchenko’s career by Pepperstone ATP Ranking, eclipsing his victory against then-World No. 9 Taylor Fritz in Basel last October.

“I think I was more aggressive against him in the first set,” said Shevchenko. “Then he stepped up his game really well, started to be more aggressive and go more to the net. That kind of tricked me.

“I think in the third set it was quite open. I think I got lucky in a way with the break point, and I think he was maybe a little bit the better player in the third set, but luck was on my side.” .”

“[It’s the] best win in my career so far,” said Shevchenko after the match. “I had one against Taylor Fritz, it was that one [until now], but today is probably the best one. It tastes sweeter when I take revenge from the Brisbane match [against Rune].”

The World No. 57 Shevchenko, who won 81 per cent (43/53) of points behind first serves against Rune, according to Infosys ATP Stats, will take on Grigor Dimitrov next.

The sixth-seeded Bulgarian earlier downed Marton Fucsovics 6-3, 7-5 for his Tour-leading 12th ATP Tour win of the season.

Hubert Hurkacz could promptly draw level with Dimitrov’s tally, however. The fourth seed, who is 11-4 for the year, plays home favourite Tallon Griekspoor next up in Rotterdam.