FÜRTH, June 05, 2015

The two top-seeds headlined the action on quarterfinals Friday at the Franken Challenge in Fürth, both of them making it into the round of the final four.

The tournament’s favourite Albert Ramos ended the eleven matches- winning streak of his compatriot Inigo Cervantes. The latter, who has already captured two ATP Challenger titles this season in Ostrava as well as last Sunday in Vicenza, lost 5-7, 4-6. It was the eighth meeting between the two Spaniards, with Ramos now leading 6-2 in head to head records. The top-seed won 74% of his first service points and capitalized on five of his nine break points to seal victory in one hour and 36 minutes.

Albert Ramos is playing his first ATP Challenger tournament of the season

Ramos will take on another Spaniard in the semi-finals, as Albert Montaῆes defeated Elias Ymer 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 in their first tour meeting. The 19-year-old Swede had the chance to serve the match out in the twelfth game of the final set, but his 15 years older opponent took the encounter into the decider and eventually emerged victorious after two hours and 22 minutes, reaching the stage of the final four for the first time this season.

Second seed Blaz Rola celebrated his second victory over Lorenzo Giustino in their second meeting, winning 7-5, 6-1. The 24-year-old Slovenian won the only previous encounter between the two in Ostrava 2014 and was also the dominant player in today’s encounter. Rola capitalized on six of his seven break points to seal victory in one hour and 27 minutes.

Blaz Rola aims at winning his second ATP Challenger title of the season

In the next round, the world number 97 will face Taro Daniel for the first time. The 22-year-old Japanese won 84% of his first service points to knock out eighth seed Horacio Zeballos, winning 6-4, 6-4. Daniel, who captured the ATP Challenger title in Vercelli in April, converted match point after one hour and 21 minutes.

Taro Daniel sitting in the stands, looking for a shady place on a hot day in Fürth