SCHWIEBERDINGEN, January 13, 2017

The tournament’s top-four will appear in the semi-finals of the $15,000 Südwestbank Tennis Grand Prix, held at the Tennis King Academy in Schwieberdingen.

First seed Petr Michnev defeated eighth favourite Isak Arvidsson from Sweden 6-2, 7-6. The World No. 258 from the Czech Republic secured his first straight sets victory of the week, firing 15 aces and winning 89 per cent of his first service points to advance in one hour and 18 minutes. Michnev will next take on Evgeny Karlovsky. The third seed from Russia edged past Jan Choinski of Germany 7-5, 6-2 after one hour and 27 minutes. The pair will meet for the first time.

Two Belarussians will clash in the opening semi-final on Saturday. Dzmitry Zhyrmont beat former German National Champion and Schwieberdingen’s number five seed Oscar Otte 6-2, 6-4. The second seed from Minsk capitalized on three of his eight break point chances to prevail in one hour and 13 minutes.

Zhyrmont’s fellow countryman Yaraslau Shyla overcame British dark horse Neil Pauffley, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. The fourth favourite won 85 of the 165 total points played to seal victory in one hour and 43 minutes. Zhyrmont and Shyla will face each other for fifth time with head-to-head records tied at 2-2. Zhyrmont won the last encounter betweeen the two in the final round of the qualifying of the ATP Challenger in Fergana in straight sets.

Shyla will also play for the doubles title, teaming up with Evgeny Karlovsky. The tandem will take on the Swedish combination of Isak Arvidsson and Patrik Rosenholm.