Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Third-seed Andrey Rublev withdrew from his Qatar Open title in the first round at the Dubai Championships, losing to Quentin Halys on Tuesday ), lost to Quentin Halys on Tuesday.
For Harris, who will face Roberto Bautista Agut next, this is his first time beating the top ten opponents.
“At present, it’s hard to understand,” the 28-year-old Frenchman said. “Mentally, it’s a very difficult game. Andrey may have been tired during the week in Doha. Beating the top ten (opponents) is a big moment in your career. I’m so glad it happened today.”
Rublev, ranked ninth, won the Dubai championship in 2022. On Saturday, he defeated Jack Draper to win the Qatar Open.
Also Tuesday, Best Seed Daniil Medvedev beat Jan-Lennard 6-4, 7-6 (4) and will face Giovanni next Mpetshi Perricard.
The second seed Alex de Minaur lost to 2014 U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Nuno Borges eliminated Arthur Fils of the eighth seed 6-2, 6-1.
Other winners on Tuesday included Ugo Humbert of the fifth seed, Matteo Berrettini, Felix Auger-Aliassime and qualifiers Christopher O’Connell.
