TIBURON, September 30, 2016

Among the highlights of Day 4 at the $100,000 Wells Fargo Tiburon Challenger, number five seed Dennis Novikov dispatched wild card Brian Baker with a convincing 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 victory. The 22-year-old California resident won 84 per cent of his first service points and converted three of his five break point chances to prevail in one hour and 34 minutes.

Novikov will next take on Darian King from Barbados. The world number 165 was leading 6-7, 6-2, 4-2 when top seed Benjamin Becker was forced to retire with a pectoral injury.

Wild card Mackenzie McDonald defeated Italian qualifier Salvatore Caruso 7-6, 6-2 to move into his first quarterfinal of the season. The 21-year-old US-American finished the encounter in one hour and 33 minutes. McDonald will face Frances Tiafoe, who edged past Australian John-Patrick Smith 6-3, 6-3, on Friday. “This is set to be a showdown not to be missed between two amazing athletes in great form,” said tournament director Brendan Curry.

In addition, defending champion Tim Smyczek takes on Mitchell Krueger, and Michael Mmoh faces number two seed Bjorn Fratangelo on Friday.

Men’s Singles Second Round

Darian King (BAR) d [1] Benjamin Becker (GER) Ret’d 67(3) 36 61

[5] Dennis Novikov (USA) d [WC] Brian Baker (USA) 64 36 61

[4] Frances Tiafoe (USA) d John-Patrick Smith (AUS) 63 63

[WC] Mackenzie McDonald (USA) d [Q] Salvatore Caruso (ITA) 76(3) 62

Men’s Doubles Quarterfinal

[1] Marcelo Arevalo (ESA)/Juan Peralta (CHI) d [Q] Baz Rola (SLO)/Grega Zemlja (SLO) 64 76(4)

[3] Matt Reid (AUS)/John-Patrick Smith (AUS) d Steven De Waard (AUS)/Alessandro

Giannessi (ITA) 60 62

Quentin Halys (FRA)/Dennis Novikov (USA) d [WC] Mackenzie McDonald (USA)/B McLachlan (NZL) 36 62 10-4