Overview
- Van Assche beat qualifier Rinky Hijikata 6-4, 6-7 (7-4), 7-5 in a 2-hour 44-minute quarter-final on Friday to advance to his first Masters 1000 semi-final.
- The victory ensures Van Assche will enter the ATP top 40 on the next rankings update, with projections placing him around No. 34.
- Van Assche and his coach credit concrete changes — a more aggressive forehand, better weight transfer and improved late-match composure — for the deep run.
- He will face American Ben Shelton in the semi-final, a tough matchup given Shelton’s power serving and recent US Open final form.
- The run caps a rapid comeback from a 2025 slump beyond the 200th ranking mark and follows Van Assche’s first ATP title in Estoril, boosting his standing and confidence on the tour.