STANFORD/STARNBERG, August 18, 2023
Two US-American qualifiers have reached the semi-finals of the inaugural Golden Gate Open, a $160,000 ATP Challenger Tour hard-court tournament being held at Stanford Taube Tennis Center in California. Emilio Nava edged past his compatriot Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6(2), 7-6(4) in Thursday’s quarterfinal.
The 21-year-old Californian, who who played college tennis at the Texas Christian University and Wake Forest University, outpointed his rival 78-71 after one hour and 43 minutes.
Up next for Nava will be Tristan Boyer. The 22-year-old qualifier from Altadena defeated Michael Mmoh from the United States 7-5, 7-6(5) to reach the stage of the last four at ATP Challenger level for the second time. Boyer capitalized on three of his nine break-point opportunities to prevail after two hours and 26 minutes.
Qualifier 👉 Final Four
Tristan Boyer knocks out world No. 99 Mmoh 7-5, 7-6(5) to reach a second career Challenger semifinal#ATPChallenger | @usta pic.twitter.com/OK9dpgbM1S
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 17, 2023
In the bottom half of the draw, No. 2 seed Yosuke Watanuki beat James Duckworth from Australia 6-1, 6-3. The 90th-ranked Japanese fired 12 aces and won 83 per cent of his first-service points to advance in one hour and 18 minutes.
Watanuki will next take on Constant Lestienne of France, who defeated Croatian Borna Gojo 6-2, 6-2. The encounter lasted one hour and 19 minutes.
🇯🇵 @W412Yosuke is unstoppable 💪
The No. 2 seed takes down Duckworth 6-1, 6-3 to reach the semifinals in Stanford#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/f1QZuDBhG4
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 17, 2023