STARNBERG, January 22, 2021
Qualifier Arthur Rinderknech advanced to the quarterfinals of the € 132,280 Istanbul Indoor Challenger. The World No. 178 from France defeated Marc-Andrea Huesler from Switzerland 7-5, 6-3 on Friday afternoon at the Ted Sports Club in Istanbul, Turkey.
Rinderknech, a winner of two ATP Challengers on home soil in Rennes and Calgary, Canada last year, withstood nine aces from his opponent and capitalized on all of his four break point chances to prevail after one hour and 22 minutes. Up next for the 25-year-old will be Jozef Kovalik of Slovakia, who ended the good run of form of Turkish wild card entry Ergi Kirkin, winning 6-7(5), 6-0, 7-6(3) in two hours and 23 minutes.
In other quarterfinal action, Benjamin Bonzi emerged victorious from the all-French battle with No. 3 seed Antoine Hoang, 6-7(5), 6-1, 7-5. The 24-year-old Nime native fired 12 aces and won 73 per cent of his first-service points to advance after two hours and 25 minutes. Bonzi will face Mohamed Safwat in the stage of the final four. The Egyptian’s opponent Go Soeda of Japan was forced to withdraw from the match due to illness.
Only 4⃣ remain in Istanbul. Who will play for the title?
🇫🇷 Rinderknech vs. 🇸🇰 Kovalik
🇫🇷 Bonzi vs. 🇪🇬 Safwat pic.twitter.com/W8cCjgDMYf— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) January 22, 2021
