KNOXVILLE, November 8, 2017

Main draw action got underway on Tuesday at the $75,000 Knoxville Challenger held from 7 to 12 November 2017 at the University of Tennessee Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center. Two of the three seeded players in action advanced to the second round.

Third favourite Taylor Fritz beat fellow US-American Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-3. The World No. 111 saved three of the four break points he faced, converting three of his own to prevail after one hour and 30 minutes. Fritz will next take on compatriot Noah Rubin, who edged past German Dominik Köpfer 7-5, 6-3.

Bjorn Fratangelo, the tournament’s number five, defeated Mitchell Krueger 6-4, 7-5. The 24-year-old from Florida sent down seven aces, winning 75 per cent of his first service points to secure victory in one hour and 29 minutes. Frantangelo awaits the winner of the encounter between German qualifier Mats Moraing and Dennis Novikov from the United States.

US-American teenager Michael Mmoh, who advanced to the semi-finals at last week’s ATP Challenger in Charlottesville, fell in the opening round to Bradley Klahn. The 27-year-old from California won four points less than his opponent but emerged victorious 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 51 minutes. Klahn will next play either qualifier Frederik Nielsen from Denmark of Darian King of Barbados.