Kotov edges Castelnuovo 6-7 7-5 7-5 in Chengdu qualifying

Pavel Kotov of Russia defeated Switzerland's Luca Castelnuovo 6-7 7-5 7-5 in the qualifying semifinals of the ATP hard-court event in Chengdu. Each man recorded 14 aces, with Kotov adding a single double fault to Castelnuovo's three. The Russian landed 71.3 percent of his first serves and won 76.8 percent of those points, alongside 51.5 percent behind the second delivery. Castelnuovo put 60.2 percent of first serves in, winning 75.8 percent of those points and 58.5 percent on his second. Kotov faced nine break points and saved eight, 88.9 percent; Castelnuovo saved two of the five he faced, 40 percent.