Aussies Jason Kubler and Chris O’Connell have each made it by to the second spherical of the Qatar Open, however in contrasting fashions.
Kubler was given a serving to hand when Russia’s Aslan Karatsev retired on Monday afternoon on the Khalifa Worldwide Tennis and Squash Advanced in Doha.
The 29-year-old Queenslander, ranked No.74, was forward 7-6 (7-4) 1-0 when Karatsev, the world No.101, pulled out.
Karatsev gave up the primary set tie-break with a double fault and retired after only one recreation of the second set.
Kubler has already loved success in doubles this yr, successful the Australian Open doubles final month alongside Rinky Hijikata, once they beat Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski.
The Australian will face Canadian No.2 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime subsequent.
O’Connell, ranked No.94, adopted Kubler on courtroom and beat the veteran Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-1 3-6 6-0.
Sydneysider O’Connell will play the winner of Tuesday’s match between Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, the No. 5 seed, and Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics within the final 16.
