Kazakhstan a «lucky charm» for Rodionov who is joined by Thiem, Bublik, Griekspoor in Astana Open quarterfinals

Ravi Ubha

Facing two straight match points in the first round of the Astana Open on Thursday, Jurij Rodionov wanted to hit aces against Gregoire Barrere.  

The left-handed qualifier not only pulled it off at 4-5 in the third set but did so going against his preferred serving patterns. 

«At that point I felt he was stronger than me from the baseline so I wanted to avoid the rallies as much as possible, and I was just going for it,» said the Austrian. «I went out wide on the deuce side and down the tee on the ad-side, which are my least favorite serves. 

«Usually I use the lefty advantage but I went against that and surprised him.» 

Rodionov edged a third-set tiebreak, then upset second-seed Sebastian Baez in straight sets on Friday for a place in a second career ATP Tour quarterfinal. 

In the first one, on grass in Stuttgart in 2021, he also saved a match point against Alex de Minaur en route to the semifinals. 

«Maybe it’s a pattern,» he said.

Judging by his past performances, perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the 24-year-old is flourishing in Kazakhstan. 

His maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour came as a qualifier in Almaty in 2018 and a month later, Rodionov found himself in the semifinals of a Challenger in Astana. 

And in 2021, Rodionov landed in the final of yet another Challenger in Astana. 

He likes the people and atmosphere in Kazakhstan, while speaking the language puts him at ease. 

«Maybe I got a bit lucky winning my first Challenger in Almaty,» he said. «And since then, I think you can say it’s my lucky charm.» 

Rodionov knew that victory over Baez would send his ranking beyond the career-best No. 100 achieved in late August in the Pepperstone Live ATP Rankings and was pleased it didn’t hinder his performance. 

At No. 99 in the live rankings during Saturday’s play in Astana, the former junior No. 7 is getting ever closer to a direct berth into January’s Australian Open having never competed in the main draw at Melbourne Park. 

Defeating 2020 Astana finalist and fellow lefty Adrian Mannarino on Sunday would boost the ranking further. His first Top 50 win resulted against the Frenchman at a Challenger in Rennes in 2019. 

«Honestly, I don’t really like playing against lefties because it’s very uncomfortable,» said Rodionov, despite winning nine of his last 10 matches versus left-handers. 

Overall he calls this season his best so far, despite some «ups and downs.» 

Even when those ‘downs’ occur — Rodionov had lost six of seven matches entering Astana — his mantra is to «just hang in there.» 

«Never give up, try to improve day by day and always try to be positive because no matter how bad things look, there is always going to be a way out,» he said. «Just try to do the best you can.» 

An Austrian semifinalist is guaranteed in Astana since Dominic Thiem plays Sebastian Ofner. Thiem holds a 3-0 record against Ofner, winning in three sets this year on clay at The Millennium Estoril Open. 

As it stands now, three Austrian men are into the quarterfinals of the same event for the first time in the Open Era.

«I’m looking forward to it, because I think he is playing better right now,» Ofner said. «I’m also in good shape.»

Top-seed Tallon Griekspoor challenges fifth-seed Sebastian Korda, with fourth-seed Jiri Lehecka encountering 20-year-old wildcard Hamad Medjedovic at the National Tennis Center. 

Both are first-time meetings.