PARMA/STARNBERG, October 7, 2022

Vit Kopriva headlined Friday’s quarterfinal action at the Parma Challenger presented by Iren by knocking out World No. 77 and tournament’s top seed Roberto Carballes Baena 7-5, 6-0. The 25-year-old Czech converted five of his eight break-point chances and won 62 per cent of the total points played to succeed in one hour and 26 minutes.

“Winning the first set was very important, as it helped me to gain more confidence for the second, in which I broke serve early. The level was very high and I was luckier in the end,” said Kovpriva after the match.

“I still have a lot of energy. One month ago I took a rest for five weeks and now I am prepared and ready for the rest of the season.”

The World No. 154, who captured his maiden Challenger crown on home soil in Prostejov in early June, will next take on Slovakia’s Jozef Kovalik, a 6-3, 7-6(5) winner in one hour and 46 minutes over Andrea Vavassori from Italy.

Mager masters Lajovic

In the bottom half of the draw, Gianluca Mager defeated second-seeded Serbian Dusan Lajovic 7-6(3), 6-3. The 27-year-old Italian struck eight aces and won 73 per cent of his first-service points to advance in one hour and 50 minutes.

🇮🇹 Gianluca #Mager conquista la semifinale a #Parma battendo #Lajovic 7/6 6/3 👏👏👏#tennis #ATPChallenger #ParmaChallenger @ATPChallenger @parmawelcomeoff @visitparma pic.twitter.com/qNQFL96hWq

— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) October 7, 2022

Up next for Mager will be Timofey Skatov from Kazakhstan, who benefited from the retirement of Hungarian qualifier Malte Valkusz. The World No. 209 was leading 1-6, 7-5, 4-0 when Valkusz was forced to stop playing due to fatigue.