KNOXVILLE, November 10, 2017
Tim Smyczek has extended his winning streak to seven matches by reaching the quarterfinals of the $75,000 Knoxville Challenger held at the University of Tennessee Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center. The champion of last week’s ATP Challenger in Charlottesville eased past British qualifier Alexander Ward 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday.
Smyczek saved all six break points he faced, capitalizing on all of his own three chances to advance in one hour and 12 minutes. The 29-year-old US-American will next take on second seed Henri Laaksonen of Switzerland, who beat Canadian Brayden Schnur 6-4, 7-5.
.@timsmyczek extends his #USTAProCircuit win streak to 7️⃣ matches!
He defeats Ward 6-4, 6-2 in R2 of the $75K @KnoxChallenger.https://t.co/zUw8CJ8nGH pic.twitter.com/tdUeUlHqGz
— USTA (@usta) 9. November 2017
Taylor Fritz and Bjorn Fratangelo are the other two seeded players left in the singles draw. Fifth favourite Fratangelo fought past German qualifier Mats Moraing 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in one hour and 46 minutes. The tournament’s number three Fritz emberged victorious from the all-US-American-affair with Noah Rubin 7-6, 6-1. The encounter lasted one hour and 30 minutes.
