Potchefstroom, South Africa, 12 February 2021 – South Africa’s run in the Potch Open came to an end on Friday after doubles top seeds Raven Klaasen and Roelofse were eliminated in the semifinals at the North-West University in Potchefstroom.
Klaasen and Roelofse were the last remaining SA players in the ATP Challenger 80 event after several young South Africans, including teen sensation Kholo Montsi, were knocked out in the first round of the singles and doubles competitions earlier this week.
Just two matches away from clinching their first ATP Challenger title in Potchefstroom, Klaasen and Ruan went down 6-3 6-4 against unseeded Canadians Peter Polansky and Brayden Schnur.
Polansky and Schnur will face second seeds Marc-Andrea Huesler (Switzerland) and Zdenek Kolar (Czech Republic) for a title decider.
In the singles event, American qualifier, Nick Chappell claimed an upset win over seventh seed, Peter Polansky of Canada by 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-4 in a 2 hour and 37-minute classic to advance to the semi-final round.
Second seed, Benjamin Bonzi (France) also produced a stunning performance to beat qualifier Mirza Basic of Bosnia and Herzegovina 6-3, 6-1 to set up a meeting with Chappell.
Unseeded Bulgarian Dimitar Kuzmanov, who toppled top seed Prejnesh Gunneswaran of India earlier this week, saw his luck run out as Turkey’s Cem Ilkel won their quarterfinal clash 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Ilkel will face Bristish qualifier Liam Broady in Saturday’s semifinal.
Broady eased past Taiwanese Tseng Chun-hsin 6-3 6-3 to book his place in the semifinal round.
In the women’s event, South Africa’s last hopeful for tennis glory at the Ilana Kloss International, Zoe Kruger, was knocked out at the quarter-final stage by unseeded Anna Bondar of Hungary.
Bondar ended Kruger’s good run in the ITF $25,000 World Tour event in straights sets 6-4, 6-2 in 91 minutes to book her place in the semifinal round.
The 23-year-old Bondar used all of her experience against SA’s 18-year-old Kruger in a classy display.
Kruger can duly be proud of the fight she showed on court all week.
Joining Bondar in the semi-finals will be Dutch top seed Lesley Kerkhove, Nuria Parrizas-Diaz of Spain and British Jodie Burrage.
Day 5 Results
Potch Open – ATP Challenger 80
Singles
Quarterfinals
[2] Benjamin Bonzi (FRA) bt [Q] Mirza Basic (BIH) 6-3 6-1
[6] Cem Ilkel (TUR) bt Dimitar Kuzmanov (BUL) 4-6 6-3 6-2
[Q] Nick Chappell (USA) bt [7] Peter Polansky (CAN) 6-4 6-7(3) 6-4
[Q] Liam Broady (GBR) bt Chun-hsin Tseng (TPE) 6-3 6-3
Doubles
Semifinals
bt Peter Polansky / Brayden Schnur (CAN) bt [1] Raven Klaasen / Ruan Roelofse (RSA) 6-3 6-4
[2] Marc-Andrea Huesler (SUI) / Zdenek Kolar (CZE) bt Liam Broady / Jack Draper (GBR) 7-6(4) 6-3
Ilana Kloss International – Women’s ITF $25,000 ITF World Tour
Singles
Quarterfinals
[1] Lesley Kerkhove (NED) bt [5] Eva Alvarez (ESP) 6-2 6-4
[6] Nuria Parrizas-Dias (ESP) bt [4] Reka-Luka Jani (HUN) 6-4 6-0
Jodie Burrage (GBR) bt Carolina Alves (BRA) 7-6(5) 6-4
Anna Bondar (HUN) bt Zoe Kruger (RSA) 6-4 6-2
Doubles
Semifinals
[1] Lesley Kerkhove / Babiane Schoofs (NED) bt [3] Anna Bondar / Reka-Luka Jani (HUN) 6-4 6-3
[2] Naomi Broady / Eden Silva (GBR) bt [4] Carolina Alves / Gabriela Ce (BRA) 6-4 4-6 10-3
