SIBIU/STARNBERG, October 1, 2021

Thanasi Kokkinakis headlined Friday’s quarterfinal action at the €44,820 Sibiu Open. The No. 7 seed of the ATP Challenger 80 clay-court tournament hosted by the Tennis Club Pamira in Sibiu, Romania, fought past third seed Alex Molcan from Slovakia 6-2, 7-6(4).

Kokkinakis struck five aces and won 65 per cent of his first-service points to secure victory in one hour and 55 minutes. The World No. 194 from Australia, who captured his fifth Challenger career title in Biella, Italy in May, will next take on Marc-Andrea Huesler. The sixth-seeded Swiss edged out Franco Agamenone of Italy 7-6(5), 6-4 after one hour and 48 minutes.

The semi-finals line-up will be led by top seed Stefano Travaglia. The World No. 97 from Italy and lone Top 100 player in the singles draw battled past No. 5 seed Zdenek Kolar from the Czech Republic, 6-0, 5-7, 7-6(6). Travaglia outpointed his rival 114-97 after two hours and 34 minutes.

Up next for 29-year-old Travaglia will be Sumit Nagal of India. The eighth favourite defeated Frenchman Geoffrey Blancaneaux 7-6(3), 6-3, winning 52 per cent of the total points played. The encounter lasted one hour and 48 minutes.