APTOS, August 10, 2017

Sam Groth headlined Wednesday’s action at the 30th annual $100,000 Nordic Naturals Challenger presented by Santa Cruz County Bank.

The 29-year-old Australian held true to his reputation as the fastest server in the world after his second round match against Jason Jung of Tapei, firing 18 total aces, to secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 victory in one hour and 44 minutes. Groth will next take on fellow Aussie Akira Santillan, who defeated Darian King of Barbados 6-3, 6-4.

Wild card entry Taylor Fritz emerged victorious from the all-US-American-encounter with qualifier Austin Krajicek, rallying 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. The #NextGenATP star impressed with solid strokes throughout the entire match. Both players painted the lines with solid and controlled shots, but it was Fritz who remained the more consistent of the two when it mattered most. Fritz capitalized on four of his nine break point opportunities to prevail after one hour and 20 minutes.

Next up for Fritz will be sixth seed Tennys Sandgren. The 26-year-old US-American beat compatriot Mackenzie McDonald 6-1, 6-2 after exactly one hour of play.