Lyon (AFP)
The Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was eliminated Thursday in the quarterfinals of the tennis tournament ATP Lyon, beaten 6-4, 6-4 by the Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, seeded N.1, while Benoît Paire was hoisted to the semi-finals after defeating Spain's Bautista Agut.
Basilashvili, 18th in the world, will face the winner of Thursday's game against late-night Canadian N.4 seed Félix Auger-Aliassime at American Steve Johnson.
"I felt good, I was pretty good, well on my legs, but I faced a player who played at his level, better than me today, he dominated my head and shoulders. I'm happy with my performance, he still had to shake the game to pass, "commented at the exit of the court Tsonga, 85th in the ATP ranking, declaring" happy with his week in Lyon ".
"I've found a bit of rhythm, it feels good, next week will be another week with the counters reset, I'm happy to have come here to Lyon, to have faced this type of player. Roland Garros, whatever happens, I'm going to fall on big pieces like that, it will be important to clear the void and start again, "he added.
Earlier in the day, Frenchman Benoît Paire however qualified for the semi-finals by winning at the expense of Canadian Denis Shapovalov, seeded N.3 and 23rd player worldwide (6-3, 4-6). , 7-6).
Pair, N.51 at ATP, will face Friday the American Taylor Fritz (N.46), who beat the Spanish Roberto Bautista Agut, seeded N.2 and 21st world player (6-7, 6- 3, 6-4).
? 2019 AFP