Day 5 at Båstad glistened under the bright summer skies. A perfect day for tennis began on centre court between world No. 85 Brazilian Thiago Monteiro and tournament qualifier Duje Ajdukovic. 

Ajdukovic, aiming to capitalise on his victory over world number No. 60 Kotov in 2R for the biggest win of his career, started the first set strong and clinched it 6-2.

Second set started in Monteiro’s favour who is seeking his 2nd ATP Tour semi-final and looks to become the 1st Brazilian man to reach Båstad semi-final since Meligeni won the title in 1995. Monteiro broke in the second game but could not consolidate, the young Croat proving to be a worthy opponent. However, the Brazilian remained determined to close the second set 6-4. 

Monteiro opened proceedings in the third set, an advantage he would have liked to capitalise on but Ajdukovic looked too strong as he forced errors from the Brazilian’s racket to clinched the set and the match 6-2 4-6 6-4. 

The Croat now becomes the first qualifier in Båstad semi-final since 2000 (Hipfl). He next plays the winner of the second quarter-final of the day between Rafael Nadal and Mariano Navone.