SARASOTA, April 15, 2015

The bottom half of the Sarasota Open draw stepped into action on Wednesday for the first part of the ATP Challenger’s second round matches.

Jared Donaldson knocked-off Gastao Elias a second time within two weeks. The 18-year-old US-American and the Portuguese met at the qualifying in Houston last week with the better ending for the teenager winning in three sets. Donaldson emerged victorious again in Sarasota in an impressive way. The world number 179 won 90% of his first service points and closed the match out in style with his second ace winning 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 23 minutes. With a seven-match Challenger win streak, Donaldson advanced to the quarterfinals.

Jared Donaldson made it into the quarterfinals in Sarasota

“It was a struggle out there,” the teenager told about the crucial ninth game of the second set when he gained the decisive break of serve. “It was getting down to the business end of the set and I think we were both a little nervous. We kind of battled that game. I just came up with a few good shots at the end. I couldn’t be happier with the way I played.”

Donaldson has become the youngest winner of an ATP Challenger event since 2007 by lifting the trophy in Maui in February. “It has been an amazing journey,” said the US-American. “Winning that Challenger motivated me because I don’t just want to win Challengers. I want to someday win Grand Slams. That is what you have to have your mindset to be.”

Before Jason Kubler arrived in Sarasota, the 21-year-old had only won one match this season in the qualifying of the ATP 250 event in Quito. Here in Florida, the Australian took out Michal Przysiezny in the opening round and defeated Horacio Zeballos in two tie-break on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals.

Kubler will face qualifier Renzo Olivo next. The 23-year-old Argentine defeated fourth seed Alejandro Gonzalez in straight sets winning 6-3, 6-2 in 91 minutes.

In the final match of the day the tournament’s second favourite, Federico Delbonis beat Somdev Devvarman. The 24-year-old Argentine capitalized on six of his twelve break points to seal victory in one hour and 23 minutes winning 6-0, 7-5. In a highly anticipated quarterfinals clash, Delbonis will face Donaldson on Friday.

Federico Delbonis is the only remaining seeded player in the bottom half of the draw in Sarasota