CLEVELAND/STARNBERG, March 19, 2021

World No. 177 Emilio Gomez leads the semi-finals line-up of the Cleveland Open. The $52,080 indoor hard-court event is hosted by the Cleveland Racquet Club in the Pepper Pike neighborhood, an affluent eastern suburb of the Greater Cleveland area in the US state of Ohio.

The third seed from Ecuador defeated Christopher Eubanks from the United States 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday. Gomez saved the only break point he faced and capitalized on three of his own seven break-point opportunities to prevail after one hour and nine minutes.

Gomez will next take on #NextGenATP US-American Jenson Brooksby. The 20-year-old California native, who clinched his maiden Challenger trophy at the Potch Open in Potchefstroom, South Africa last month, edged past his compatriot Michael Redlicki 7-6(5), 6-4 after just over two hours of play.

Kovacevic reaches first semi-final

In the bottom half of the draw, Aleksandar Kovacevic continued his fine form this week on home soil with a hard-fought 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 win over Yosuke Watanuki of Japan. The World No. 537 qualifier from the United States sent down seven aces and outpointed his rival 96-83 after two hours and nine minutes.

Kovacevic, who earned All-America honors in singles for the 2018-19 season at the Ohio State University in Columbus, will appear in his first semi-final at Challenger level facing Bjorn Fratangelo on Friday evening. The 27-year-old US-American benefited from the retirement of qualifier Alexis Galarneau leading 6-3, 5-0. The Canadian was forced to stop playing due to pec strain.

From qualifier to semifinalist. @kova_aleks moves on into the next round.#CLEChallenger #ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/1OZREYmP8w

— Cleveland Open (@CLEChallenger) March 19, 2021