SAVANNAH, May 4, 2018

20-year old Michael Mmoh booked a spot in the quarterfinals of the $75,000 St. Joseph’s/Candler Savannah Challenger after a commanding 6-4, 6-2 win over Frank Dancevic of Canada on Thursday.

In the first set Mmoh was broken on his first service game and battled from behind for a majority of the set. It wouldn’t be until late in the opening set that he would break back and then close it out 6-4. In the second set, Mmoh capitalized on his momentum and quickly took the lead. He saved crucial break points late in the set during a eight-plus deuce game, and was able to close out the match with a final score of 6-4, 6-2.

“It was a tough match with pretty slow conditions, so I had to compete and give it my all,” said Mmoh after the one hour and 36 minutes-encounter. “I tried to stay positive and I think I did a good job of that today.”

With the win Mmoh reaches his second consecutive quarterfinal of the ATP Challenger Tour. The US-American is having a stand-out year after reaching his first ATP World Tour quarterfinal in Brisbane and the third round at the Miami Open. And while he has had a slow start to the clay court swing, the wins in Savannah are doing loads for his confidence.

“I wasn’t feeling too good about my clay court performance after my first two weeks in Sarasota and Houston,” said Mmoh. “So to get two quarterfinals and four wins, its a pretty good feeling.”

Next up, Mmoh faces Australian young-gun Max Purcell. Earlier in the day, Purcell defeated Federico Coria 6-3, 6-2, to also reach his second consecutive quarterfinal on the ATP Challenger Tour. The two have never played each other in a professional match, but Mmoh is ready for the challenge.

“He’s a good player and he’s been playing well. It’s going to be a battle. I kind of need to stay positive and compete,” said Mmoh. “I feel like I have been playing well, so if I can go out there and do those two things, I am in pretty good form.”