ROME, September 30, 2016

Top seed Robin Haase headlined quarterfinals action at the €42,500 BFD Energy Challenger on Friday in Rome. The world number 65 from the Netherlands defeated fifth favourite Andrej Martin 6-1, 6-3.

Haase, who captured his second ATP Challenger title of the season in Sibiu last weekend, continued his winning streak by saving all five break points he faced and converting four of his own to seal victory in 68 minutes. Haase will next play Tristan Lamasine from France. The 23-year-old rallied from a set down to overcome Swedish youngster Elias Ymer 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in two hours and one minute.

Elias’ younger brother Mikael Ymer advanced to his first semi-final at Challenger level. The only 18-year-old knocked out eighth seed Marton Fucsovics from Hungary, winning 6-4, 6-3, 7-5. Ymer won two points less than his opponent but broke serve six times to prevail in two hours and 56 minutes. The teenager will next play Jan Satral. The world number 169 from the Czech Republic upset the tournament’s number three Aljaz Bedene, winning 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 27 minutes.