ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Daniil Medvedev advanced to the Almaty Open final on Saturday after Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik retired injured, while Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili upset seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach his first ATP Tour final in more than four years.
Top seed Medvedev had taken the opening set 6-3 when Bublik was forced to withdraw with an apparent right leg injury, ending the home favorite's hopes of reaching the final in front of his own supporters.
Despite enjoying the backing of a partisan crowd, Bublik appeared to struggle with his movement as the match progressed. The Kazakh, whose right leg was heavily strapped, became increasingly hampered as the opening set wore on and was unable to continue after losing it.
The retirement handed Medvedev a place in Sunday's final, keeping alive his hopes of successfully defending the title he won last year.
Standing in the Russian's way will be Basilashvili, who continued his impressive run through the tournament with a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3 victory over former world No. 3 Tsitsipas earlier in the day.
The 34-year-old Georgian, ranked 128th in the world, held serve throughout the three-set contest to secure his first ATP Tour final appearance in more than four years.
Basilashvili took the opening set 6-4 before Tsitsipas fought back to level the match by winning the second-set tiebreak 7-5. However, the Georgian regained control in the decider, taking it 6-3 to complete the upset.
The result continued a remarkable week for Basilashvili, who came through qualifying before defeating former US Open champion Marin Cilic, Facundo Diaz Acosta and Adrian Mannarino on his way to the semifinals.
A former world No. 16, Basilashvili has struggled with injuries in recent years and entered the tournament outside the world's top 100. ■
