KAARST, February 2, 2018

The quarterfinals of the $15,000 Kirschbaum International powered by Neusser REHA held at Tespo Sportpark in Kaarst are set. Promising German youngster Marvin Möller knocked off No. 6 seed Yannick Reuter from Belgium 6-3, 6-1 on Thursday evening.

The 19-year-old was in control of the match, didn’t face a break point, converting four of his own to advance in one hour and 14 minutes. Next up for Möller will be compatriot Peter Torebko, who emerged victorious from the all-German-affair with wild card entry Mats Rosenkranz 6-4, 7-5.

Fifth seed Robin Kern rallied past another German, who entered the main draw with a wild card, Valentin Günther, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The encounter lasted just under two hours of play. Kern will next take on Sebastien Boltz. The 24-year-old Frenchman upset the tournament’s No. 2 Petr Michnev from the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 22 minutes.

Dutch Players Dominate Top Half Of The Draw

In the top half of the draw, competitors from the Netherlands dominate the action. No. 4 seed and now highest ranked player left in the singles draw, Boy Westerhof, edged past Frenchman Remi Boutillier 6-3, 7-5 to set a quarterfinal clash with compatriot Igor Sijsling. The former World. No. 52, who won 50 singles matches at ATP World Tour level, beat lucky loser Hugo Voljacques 7-5, 6-0 in only 67 minutes. Sijsling eyes winning his first title since lifting the ATP Challenger trophy in Brescia 2015.

Seventh favourite Botic van de Zandschulp battled past Tobias Simon from Germany 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 making it three Dutchmen to reach the stage of the final eight. The 22-year-old will next face Mick Lescure of France, who recovered from a set down to overcome German qualifier Kai Wehnelt 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.