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Top 5 Photos, 10/16: Rublev soars into St. Petersburg semis

By Jordaan Sanford

It was another action packed day on the men's side as play continued in St. Petersburg and the innovative Ultimate Tennis Showdown kicked off its third edition.

These are the Top 5 Photos from Friday.

1

Andrey Rublev

The world No. 10 soared past Cameron Norrie, 6-2-6-1, to reach the semifinal round of St. Petersburg. The 22-year-old's ceiling continues to rise, as he improved to 32-7 on the year. Rublev refused to grant Norrie any opportunity to get settled in the 64-minute affair.

Andrey Rublev of Russia returns the ball to Cameron Norrie of United States during their ATP St. Petersburg Open 2020 international tennis tournament quarter-final match on October 16, 2020 at Sibur Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Mike Kireev/NurPhoto via AP)
© Associated Press

2

Denis Shapovalov

With dreams of competing at the ATP Finals in London, the Canadian is rolling through the St. Petersburg draw. Shapovalov defeated three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, 6-4, 7-5, to reach the last four. The 21-year-old will face the third-seeded Rublev for a spot in the championship match.

XXV International tennis tournament ATP St. Petersburg Open 2020 at the sports complex "Sibur Arena". Canadian tennis player Denis Shapovalov during a match with Swiss tennis player Stanislas Wawrinka. October 16, 2020.Russia, St. Petersburg Photo credit: Sergei' Vishnevskii'/Kommersant/Sipa USA(Sipa via AP Images)
© Sipa USA via AP

3

Alex de Minaur

The Aussie was all smiles on the court in Antwerp as he began his campaign at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown's weekend event. De Minaur knocked off Dan Evans and Pablo Andujar without losing a single quarter. After just a couple hours of work, the world No. 29 will enjoy his Saturday before contesting the final on Sunday evening.

Australian Alex de Minaur celebrates during a group match between Australia's Alex De Minaur and UK's Dan Evans at the third edition of UTS Ultimate Tennis Showdown event with six ATP players, in Antwerp, Friday 16 October 2020. BELGA PHOTO LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ (Photo by LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ/Belga/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)
© Sipa USA via AP

4

Milos Raonic

The former St. Petersburg champion is on a mission, as he powered through the first set against No. 4 seed Karen Khachanov thanks to his impressive shot making. A tighter second set remained on serve with just one break point opportunity presenting itself. In the end, Raonic ran away from the Russian in a tiebreaker to book his semifinal ticket with a 6-1, 7-6 (1) victory.

Milos Raonic of Canada serves the ball during his ATP St. Petersburg Open 2020 international tennis tournament quarter-final match against Karen Khachanov of Russia on October 16, 2020 at Sibur Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Mike Kireev/NurPhoto via AP)
© Associated Press

5

Borna Coric

The 2019 St. Petersburg runner up is thriving once again in Russia. Coric erased a 2-5 first-set deficit to prevail over American Reilly Opelka, 7-6 (3), 6-3. In the Croatian's post-match presser, he opened up about his current state.

“I’m actually now being healthy. That’s the most important thing. In 2019, towards the end of the year, I was not really healthy," Coric said.

Borna Coric of Croatia during his ATP St. Petersburg Open 2020 international tennis tournament quarter-final match against Reilly Opelka of United States on October 16, 2020 at Sibur Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Mike Kireev/NurPhoto via AP)
© Associated Press