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SYDNEY, Australia – No. 1 seed Holger Rune and No. 2 Grigor Dimitrov have made the final in Brisbane.

So there’s not much more you can ask than that. Although obviously having Rafael Nadal in the lineup would have been great. But more concern for him after he tweaked his upper left leg late into a 3h25 loss to Jordan Thompson Friday night.

In Sydney, it was semifinal time at the United Cup.

The qualifying was to began in Auckland with two Canadians – Cana-Chilean Alejandro Tabilo and the returning Denis Shapovalov. Except Shapovalov got late entry into the main draw, good break for him.

Shapovalov has been out exactly six months, so he’ll be able to use his protected injury ranking at the Australian Open. But here, he’s using his *actual* ranking and just squeezed in before the matches begin Saturday.

United Cup semifinals bring the drama (final results)

WTA Tour – Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 final results

(Hong Kong is 13 hours ahead of EST; Brisbane is 15 hours ahead and Sydney is 16 hours ahead).

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Brisbane International
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Category: ATP Tour 250 (Joint event with the WTA Tour)
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Dates: Dec. 31, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024
Prize money: $739,945
Draws: S32 / D24

Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024
Final results

Singles, semifinals

[1] Holger Rune (DEN) def Roman Safiullin (RUS) 64 76 (0)
[2] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) def Jordan Thompson (AUS) 63 75

Doubles, semifinals

[1] Kevin Krawietz / Tim Puetz (GER) def Max Purcell / Jordan Thompson (AUS) WALKOVER

[2] Lloyd Glasspool (GBR) / Jean-Julien Rojer (NED)def. [8] Yuki Bhambri (IND) / Robin Haase (NED) 63 67 (5) [11-9]

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Hong Kong Tennis Open
Location: Hong Kong
Category: ATP Tour 250
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Dates: Jan. 1-7, 2024
Prize money: $739,945
Draws: S28 / D16

Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024
Final results

Singles, semifinals

[1] Andrey Rublev (RUS) def [WC] Juncheng Shang (CHN) 46 62 63

Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) def Sebastian Ofner (AUT) 46 75 63

Doubles semifinal

[2] Marcelo Arevalo (ESA) / Mate Pavic (CRO) def. Ariel Behar (URU) / Adam Pavlasek (CZE) 57 63 [14-12]

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ASB Classic
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Category: ATP Tour 250
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Dates: Jan. 8 – 13, 2024
Prize money: $739,945
Draws: S28 / D16

Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024
Final results
Qualifying, first round

[6] Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) def. [WC] Isac Becroft (NZL) 60 61

Alex Michelsen (USA) def [5] Grégoire Barrere (FRA) 62 62

[3] Alexandre Muller (FRA) def. ~~Denis Shapovalov (CAN)~~ [ALT] Nino Sedarusic (CRO) 63 64

[7] Jaume Munar (ESP) def. [PR] Jiri Vesely (CZE) 62 76 (2)

Patrick Kypson (USA) def [2] Taro Daniel (JPN) [ALT] Jake Delaney (AUS) 61 64
[8] Constant Lestienne (FRA) def ~~Daniel Elahi Galan (COL)~~ [ALT] Alexander Klintcharov (AUS) 60 62
[WC] Jack Loutit (NZL) def [1] Benjamin Bonzi (FRA) [ALT] Blake Mott (AUS) 75 62
Luca Van Assche (FRA) def [4] Cristian Garin (CHI) [ALT] Artem Sitak (NZL) 61 61