KNOXVILLE, November 12, 2016

Jared Donaldson of United States headlined quarterfinals action at the Knoxville Challenger on Friday. The third seed fought past Belgian Ruben Bemelmans, winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Donaldson saved eitht of the nine break points he faced, converting two of his own to advance in two hours and 13 minutes.

“Everybody can play really well,” told Donaldson, who lost in the quarterfinals of last week’s Charlottesville Challenger and has a 7-10 head-to-head on the ATP World Tour this season.

“I don’t really think I’ve dropped back at all. I’ve played my level. I think I just haven’t solidified myself on the ATP Tour yet. Even though I’ve had some good ATP results, I have to play the tournaments that I’m allowed to play, and right now I’m playing the level I need to play in order to improve to get to where I want to be.”

Next up for Donaldson will be Peter Polansky. The 28-year-old from Canada knocked out the tournament’s top seed Daniel Evans on Thursday and benefited from the retirement of Mackenzie McDonald, leading 6-7, 6-4, 5-1 to reach the semis.

Stefan Kozlov edged past Edward Corrie of Great Britain 6-3, 6-4. The only 18-year-old from the United States sent down five aces, winning 74 per cent of his first service points. Kozlov broke his opponent three times to finish the encounter after one hour and 18 minutes.

The teenager will next take on Michael Mmoh, who emerged victorious from the all-US-American-encounter with Austin Krajicek, winning 6-4, 6-4.  Mmoh saved all of the five break points he faced, capitalizing on two of his own to seal victory in one hour and 21 minutes.