KAARST, January 20, 2017

The semi-finals are set at the $15,000 Kirschbaum International powered by Energy Concepts. Oscar Otte caused the upset of the day at the Tespo Sportpark by knocking out the tournament’s number one Vladimir Ivanov from Estonia 6-4, 6-3.

The fifth seeded German became better, the longer the match lasted. Otte sent down nine aces and won 71 per cent of his first service points to advance in one hour and 23 minutes. “Overall, I was not that consistent, but I am happy to get to the semis,” Germany’s National Champion of 2015 told afterwards.

Otte will next take on Vadym Ursu. The seventh favourite from the Ukraine battled past German qualifier Vincent Jaensch-Mueller 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in two hours and 23 minutes.

The tournament’s number two also fell on Friday, as qualifier Elmar Ejupovic emerged victorious from the all-German-affair with Mats Moraing, winning 6-1, 6-7, 7-5. The defending champion appeared tired and lost his serve four times. Ejupovic won 100 of the 193 total points played to prevail in two hours and 18 minutes.

The World No. 812 will next face with Yaraslau Shyla, the highest remaining seeded player in the draw. The number four from Belarus defeated Yannick Vanderbulcke from Belgium 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 50 minutes.