(Tennis news) Sebastian Baez had only played a single tour level match this year before coming at Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals but the 111th ranked player booked his entry into the last four with a resounding victory over Hugo Gaston. Gaston along with Juan Manuel Cerundolo finished as the only players who lost all three matches in the group stage as they ended their run at the event. Baez was in his own flow as he finished points in quick manner as Paris hero Gaston could not bring in the magic he had a week ago. Baez defeated Gaston 4-3(7-2), 4-2, 4-2.

Carlos Alcaraz proceeded to the semi final while only losing a set in three matches as he beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo in four sets. Alcaraz was at his best from the first rally as he hit booming forehands to take the first two sets under 30 minutes as he only dropped a single game in the first two sets. Juan came to life in the third set as his forehand caused Alcaraz to make unforced errors and made him drop his first set of the event while Juan kept coming at him.

In the final set, Juan carried his form from the previous set and took the match to a tie breaker where Alcaraz brought in his heavy groundstrokes to finish the final group stage with a victory. With this win, Alcaraz became the youngest player to earn 30 tour level wins in a season since Rafael Nadal who had 30 tour wins in 2004. Alcaraz defeated Juan 4-0, 4-1, 2-4, 4-3(7-3).

Sebastian Korda joined Alcaraz as the two players who have remained unbeaten at the group stage with a victory over Lorenzo Musetti. Korda has so far dropped two sets in the event, all of which came in his first match against Hugo Gaston. In the final group stage match, Korda topped group B with a straight set win over Musetti as the Italian ended his chances for a last four finish. Korda was in full attacking mode as his motto was to make Musetti scramble for every point and did from the baseline as well as from the net. Korda defeated Musetti 4-2, 4-3(7-4), 4-2.

Brandon Nakashima finished second in group A behind Alcaraz when he beat Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune to book the semifinal spot. Nakashima overcame a set deficit as he found his rhythm in the next three sets, his backhand winners down the line proved to be a strong element while finishing points. In the fourth set, Rune opened up a two game lead and was serving 30 all in the third game when Nakashima’s backhand spoiled his plans as a couple of winners won Nakashima a couple of games to come level with Rune. In the tie breaker, Nakashima sped away as he earned a handful of matchpoints and did not waste any to win the match. Nakashima defeated Rune 3-4(3-7), 4-1, 4-1, 4-3(7-1).

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz continues his winning run at Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals