CHAMPAIGN, November 16, 2017

Six of the remaining seven seeded players advanced to the quarterfinals of the $75,000 JSM Challenger of Champaign-Urbana held at the Atkins Tennis Center of the University of Illinois.

Third favourite Taylor Fritz headlined Wednesday’s action with a 6-4, 6-3 win over US-American qualifier Ronnie Schneider. The 20-year-old from California was in total control of the encounter, didn’t face a break point and converted three of his own to finish the encounter in one hour and seven minutes. Fritz will next take on eighth seed Tommy Paul, who fought past Swedish qualifier Mikael Ymer 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 in two hours and 28 minutes.

Cameron Norrie defeated former llini player Jared Hiltzik 6-2, 6-4. The tournament’s number four from Great Britain won 58 per cent of the total points played to secure victory in one hour and six minutes. Next up for Norrie will be Mackenzie McDonald from the United States.

Bjorn Fratangelo beat fellow US-American Bradley Klahn 6-4, 6-4 to face in-form Canadian and last week’s Knoxville Challenger champion Filip Peliwo of Canada.

Top seed Tennys Sandgren received a walkover against Christian Harrison, who was forced to withdraw with a left knee injury, to meet seventh favourite Tim Smyczek in the stage of the final eight.

Paes/Raja Headline Doubles Action

Leander Paes and Purav Raja headlined doubles play. The No. 1 seeds from India topped US-American lucky losers, Alex Brown and Zeke Clark, 6-4, 6-1. The encounter lasted 58 minutes.

Thursday matches will feature the one Illini left in the draw, Ruan Roelofse. Roelofse is scheduled to play doubles on Thursday evening with Joe Salisbury. The duo will take on the pairing of Hach Verdugo of Mexico and Luis David Martinez of Venezuela.