APTOS, August 16, 2015
An encounter between two US-American tennis players, Austin Krajicek and Bjron Fratangelo at the US-$ 100,000 Comerica Bank Challenger in Aptos on Saturday, leaves the winner of the U.S. Wild Card Challenge unnamed. The ability to remain concentrated in pressure moments, allowed 25 year-old Krajicek to not lose a single service game against Fratangelo, earning him a spot in the championship match.
“You just try to keep it simple and hit your best serve or your best return,” said Krajicek. “That’s why we spend countless hours on the practice court, so that in that moment you can have a clear head.”
If Krajicek wins the Aptos title he will be the owner of a wild card for the U.S. Open. However, if Krajicek looses in the final, Fratangelo will receive the wild card due to his outstanding results earlier this year in both the Binghamton and Lexington Challengers.
Top seed, John Millman went to a third set for the first time this week, against big hitter and tough competitor, Kyle Edmund. Millman described his slow start as being out of character. He managed to turn the tables and come alive, winning the match 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Millman, now on a 9 match winning streak, has not failed to deliver this week, living out nicknames like the Mailman and the Milkman. He considers his mental game one of his biggest strengths.
“I was under no illusion that it was going to be a tough match today, but when you get on a roll competition starts to become the norm,” said Millman. “Mentally I just never gave up.”
Millman has a chance to make history as the first No. 1 seed to win the Comerica Bank Challenger in its 27 years of existence.
Top doubles seeds, Artem Sitak and Chris Guccione will also advance to the finals tomorrow and take on Yuki Bhambri and Mathew Ebden. Both doubles semifinal matches were decided by third set 10-point tiebreakers, proving to be extremely close.
RESULTS – AUGUST 15, 2015
Men’s Singles – Semifinals
[1] J. Millman (AUS) d [3] K. Edmund (GBR) 36 64 75
[7] A. Krajicek (USA) d [4] B. Fratangelo (USA) 63 76(2)
Men’s Doubles – Semifinals
[1] C. Guccione (AUS) / A. Sitak (NZL) d K. Khachanov (RUS) / E. Ymer (SWE) 75 67(3) 10-4
Y. Bhambri (IND) / M. Ebden (AUS) d [2] A. Krajicek (USA) / N. Monroe (USA) 57 64 10-8
