Despite a large show of Canberra support, unseeded Sam Groth (VIC) is out of the East Hotel Canberra Challenger following a straight sets defeat by eighth seed Dudi Sela (ISR).
Sela, from Israel, wasn’t happy with his game.
“Today was not a great match for me, but when you play not so good and you win, it gives you confidence, so I’m happy.
The win is a major confidence-boost for the world No.96, who is set to play in the Australian Open next week.
“I’m happy I played a little better than him [and] I was lucky in the tie break.
“Last week I played really well. This week, it’s different conditions. [There’s a] little bit of altitude, so the ball flies more, [so] it’s different, but hopefully tomorrow it’ll be a tough match and I’ll play better.”
Despite the amount of Groth supporters, Sela had his own fan club in the crowd including Melbourne’s Eli Rubenstein Sturgess who made the trip in support of Sela. Sturgess is one of hundreds of Sela fans who support him around the world.
“He was also [at the match] yesterday,” Sela said. “It’s nice.”
The quarterfinal round kicked off today with an intense three set match between top seed Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) and world No.85 Konstantin Kravchuk (RUS).
Despite being split after two sets, Struff took the match 6-4, 6-7[6], 6-3 in two hours and was happy with the quality of tennis.
“[It was a] pretty good match,” he said. “Good quality.”
The hot and sunny Canberra conditions took Struff out of his comfort zone, but the blistering heat hasn’t stopped him from enjoying his visit.
“[Australia is] very nice,” he said. “[It’s a] bit hotter than Germany.”
Sixth seed Steve Darcis (BEL) also progresses to the semifinal round, defeating unseeded teenager Denis Shapovalov (CAN) in a two set match.
Shapovalov put up a good fight, taking the second set to a tie-break. However Darcis proved too strong, taking the match 6-0, 7-6[4].
Unseeded Alejandro Falla (COL) was also victorious on Day 4 after taking out seventh seed Carlos Berlocq (ARG) in straight sets.
Doubles semifinal matches played out today, paving the way to the tournament doubles final.
Struff took home his second match of the day, partnering countryman Andre Begemann. The German duo will now face Argentinians Carlos Berlocq and Andres Molteni in the doubles final on centre court on January 13.
Day 5 preview: Semifinal singles round and doubles final
Friday 13 January 2017
ORDER OF PLAY
CENTRE COURT
11:00 am
[1] Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) vs [6] Steve Darcis (BEL)
Not Before 12:30 pm
[8] Dudi Sela (ISR) vs Alejandro Falla (COL)
DOUBLES FINAL
Not before 2:00pm
[3] Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) / Andre Begemann (GER)
vs
Carlos Berlocq (ARG) / Andres Molteni (ARG)
Tournament information including full daily Order of Play can be found here.
Watch the Canberra Pro Tour Live Stream and keep up to date with live scores using thePro Tennis Live App.
Latest
ACT