SURBITON, June 8, 2018
The top seed of the Fuzion 100 Surbiton Trophy, Jeremy Chardy, needed just 71 minutes to find a way past German qualifier Daniel Brands 7-6(3), 6-3 and set up a quarterfinal clash with 2015 Surbiton finalist Denis Kudla. The 25-year-old US-American dropped just four games as he eased past No. 5 seed Lukas Lacko of Slovakia 6-4, 6-0.
The remaining quarterfinals of the €127,000 ATP Challenger event will see Australian qualifier Matt Ebden, a winner here three years ago, take on Sergiy Stakhovsky, #NextGenATP Alex de Minaur will play No. 3 seed Yuki Bhambri and local favourite Dan Evans will face Austrian veteran Jürgen Melzer.
The men’s doubles final will be an all British affair after Ken and Neal Skupski and Luke Bambridge and Jonny O’Mara came through their respective semi-finals. The Skupski brothers defeated former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt and partner Alex Bolt 6-3, 7-6(3) whilst Bambridge and O’Mara edged past US-American-Australian second seeds Nicholas Monroe and John-Patrick Smith 7-5, 3-6, 10-7. The two British pairs are good friends and the final could make for some interesting dinner conversation.
“We’ve pretty much been going to dinner with them every night,” said Neil Skupski, “so will probably be the same tonight.” Ken Skupski added: “We’ve had a lot of success in the past here, it’s always nice to start the grass court season with wins, it’s our favourite surface and we’ve played really well this week and we’re really excited tomorrow because we’re playing against friends.”
Three British women into the last eight
In the $100,000 ITF Pro Circuit women’s event Harriet Dart and Katie Boulter joined Gabriella Taylor and ensured three British women will feature in the quarterfinals at the Fuzion 100 Surbiton Trophy after they defeated British wild card Katie Swan 6-2, 6-4 and No. 5 seed Jana Fett of Croatia 7-5, 6-4 respectively to reach the last eight.
“Match by match I’m just trying to feel the court, Centre Court is a bit different to the other court so I’m really pleased with the performance and glad to get through,” said Dart. “I served really well and the key was to keep on top. The last game was a little bit rocky but I managed to get over the line so I’m happy with it.”
Dart will now face No. 4 seed Yanina Wickmayer, a former world No. 12 and five-time WTA singles title winner, in the last eight on Friday. The Belgian, who defeated US-American qualifier Victoria Duval 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 in her third round singles match, is enjoying a successful week having also reached the doubles final with partner Arina Rodionova from Australia.
Boulter, from Leicestershire, scored an impressive straight-sets win over overcame Croatian Fett, ranked over 50 places ahead of her in the rankings.
“Any win on the grass right now for me is a big win,” said Boulter. “I’m working really hard and hoping for the best season that I can and I know she’s a really good player, so I knew I was going to have to get my best game out and I did.”
Next up for Boulter will be Australia’s Pricsilla Hon who advanced to the quarterfinals after her opponent, No. 3 seed Madison Brengle of the United States, gave a walkover due to an ankle injury.
