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The 22-year-old Chilean Nicolas Jarry had scored just one match in the ATP tournaments prior to 2018 and he already grabbed 16 this season prior to Kitzbuhel, reaching the semi-final in Hamburg last week. Jarry has repeated that in Kitzbuhel as well, toppling an in-form Matteo Berrettini 7-5 6-3 in an hour and 24 minutes for his fourth semi-final on the Tour this season. Berrettini was on a great run, winning the title in Gstaad and advancing into the last eight here but that wasn't enough to oust Jarry, facing three break points and allowing Nicolas to convert all of those and prevail in straight sets.
The Chilean played well behind his second serve, fending off all four break points he faced and he will now face Denis Istomin in the battle for the final. The first set was very competitive and Jarry saved a break point in game six with an ace to level the score at 3-3.
Berrettini was broken in game 11 to fell 6-5 down and Nicolas served for the set in the following game. He had to save a break point and the set was in his hands after a forehand winner, needing 47 minutes to wrap up the opener and gain the momentum.
Matteo had a chance to take the lead in the second set but Nicolas repelled two break points with service winners in game four, moving in front when Berrettini netted an easy forehand in game seven that took his serve away from him.
Another poor forehand from the Italian gave Jarry another break in game nine and the place in the semis, looking good to finally claim his maiden ATP crown. Quarter-final results: