SURBITON, June 9, 2018
Great Britain ensured representation in both the men’s and women’s semi-finals at the Fuzion 100 Surbiton Trophy after Dan Evans defeated Jürgen Melzer and Harriet Dart overcame Yanina Wickmayer in their quarterfinal matches on Friday.
Qualifier Evans prevailed in a tricky encounter against former world No. 8 and 2010 Wimbledon doubles champion Melzer from Austria 7-6(3), 6-4 in one hour 26 minutes to record his sixth match-win of the week.
“I’m feeling better and better each match I play. It wasn’t comfortable but I was the better player out there I thought,” said Evans.
He slips and falls and still wins the point!@alexdeminaur was unstoppable on Friday in Surbiton, booking his spot in the semis. pic.twitter.com/XyqMTO5Gg2
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) 8. Juni 2018
Evans’ next opponent will be No. 1 seed Jeremy Chardy of France, who saved two match points in his 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(8) victory over former Surbiton finalist Denis Kudla from the United States. The other semi-final will see No. 6 seed Alex De Minaur, who broke the Top 100 for the first time as a result of his 6-3, 7-5 win over No. 3 seed Yuki Bhambri of India, take on fellow Australian and 2015 Surbiton winner Matt Ebden.
Harriet Dart (photo: Christopher Lee/Getty Images for LTA)
Dart needed three sets to find a way past No. 4 seed Wickmayer of Belgium 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 and set up a semi-final clash with Gabriella Taylor’s conqueror Conny Perrin from Switzerland.
“I went out there and tried to be really aggressive and stick to my game plan, I think I got a bit lucky with some bounces which helped me a little bit,” said Dart.
No. 2 seeded US-American Alison Riske dropped just four games as she eased passed compatriot Kristie Ahn 6-0, 6-4, and will face Priscilla Hon of Australia, who battled back from a set down to defeat Katie Boulter from Great Britain 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Doubles champions crowned
Jonny O’Mara (left) and Luke Bambridge (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images for LTA)
Luke Bambridge and Jonny O’Mara won their first ATP Challenger title when they defeated close friends and compatriots Ken and Neal Skupski 7-6(11), 4-6, 10-7 in the men’s doubles final.
“I can’t believe it right now as we had such a battle every day of this week and we’ve somehow managed to scrap our way through to win the tournament, it’s an amazing feeling,” said Bambridge.
No. 3 seeds Jessica Moore and Ellen Perez saved three match points on their way to lifting the trophy in the women’s doubles final. The Australian duo defeated Arina Rodionova of Australia and Wickmayer 4-6, 7-5, 10-3.
