It’s honest to say that Corentin Moutet isn’t overly bothered about being a fan favorite on the Chile Open. The Frenchman, ranked 134 on the earth, has gained by to a semi-final with Alejandro Tabilo tonight (Saturday), and is already assured to be handled because the pantomime villain by the group.

Indeed, Moutet relished being jeered throughout his quarter-final win over high seed Nicolas Jarry. In reality, the 24-year-old appeared to intentionally incite spectators by beginning off the match with an underarm ace.

That instantly prompted loud boos, however Moutet was unperturbed. And his behaviour post-match additional enhanced his popularity because the unhealthy boy of the match.

After prevailing 7-6 7-6, the star was roundly booed. He reacted by saluting all 4 areas of the world, sarcastically bowing and waving out of faux appreciation.

“He doesn’t care,” mentioned the commentator. “They could throw bottles at him and he just doesn’t care. He has played an amazing match. He really has. Tactically, from start to finish, he got it spot on.”

And then in his post-match interview, Moutet proceeded to seize the microphone in a bid to handle the group himself. That solely resulted in louder jeering, however once more, he appeared unbothered as he mockingly pleaded for silence.

The left-hander is way from carried out as nicely. He’ll begin because the underdog in opposition to world No.54 Tabilo, however can also be anticipated to revel within the hostility along with his opponent set to backed by basically 100 per cent of the group.

But regardless of having to qualify for the match, Moutet does have pedigree. Last yr, he gained his first Challenger title in additional than a yr on the HHP Open in Helsinki, and solely dropped out of the world’s high 100 following wrist surgical procedure.

And in 2022 he caught the attention as he reached the last-16 of the US Open. There, he misplaced in 4 units to Casper Ruud, along with his run at Flushing Meadows representing his greatest effort up to now at a Grand Slam.