GRANBY, August 5, 2016

The quarterfinals are set at the $100,000 ATP Challenger Banque Nationale de Granby with Frances Tiafoe as the only remaining seeded player left in the draw. The tournament’s number four from the United States rallied back from a set down to overcome James Ward 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. Tiafoe withstood 15 aces, hitting six of his own to prevail in one hour and 41 minutes. He will next face Andrew Whittington, who beat Peter Polansky 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.

Philipp Bester got off to an excellent start when he ousted second seed Quentin Halys but was unable to keep the momentum going. He was defeated in two sets 6-4, 7-5 by Yasutaka Uchiyama of Japan, who ousted Frank Dancevic in the earlier round.

“My opponent served better than I did today and I had trouble finding my rhythm on the returns,” said Bester after the match. “Of course, I knew I had points to defend this week but I was trying not to think about that too much. In the end, I’m mostly disappointed that I couldn’t go further because it’s a tournament I like a lot with an amazing crowd.”

Uchiyana will next play Irish qualifier James McGee, who took out seventh seed Vincent Millot 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 56 minutes.

Bester was seeking to repeat his exploit from a year ago when he reached the final. He still has the chance to do so in the doubles event since he and partner Peter Polansky are in the semifinals. They have their sights set on their fourth Granby title.

Wozniak Into The Quarterfinals

In the women’s event Canadians Aleksandra Wozniak (Blainville, QC) faced Jamie Loeb of the United States, an opponent to whom she fell earlier this season in Arizona. Despite a slump in the second set, the Canadian avenged her previous loss with a three-set win (6-2, 0-6, 6-0).

“After flatly losing the second set, I refocused on my objectives and the strategy that had worked at the start of the match. I made better decisions and found my consistency,” said Wozniak. “This tournament has enabled me to play match after match and that helps me find my rhythm.”

The world no. 457 will be appearing in her first quarterfinal since February. She will go head-to-head against An-Sophie Mestach of Belgium on Friday afternoon.