Denis Shapovalov is continuing his charge towards the Top 100. The prodigious Canadian talent defeated American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Shapovalov will play Peter Polansky, the player he defeated in the Gatineau final last week.
Polansky, the 2nd seed, defeated Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-3, 6-4. 1st seed Blaz Kavcic moved into the semis with a straight sets win over Tatsuma Ito, whilst young Canadian Brayden Schnur edged young Aussie Max Purcell 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.
In Binghampton young American William Blumberg reached his first Challenger semi-final after his opponent Zhe Zhang retired before the match. Blumberg had a successful junior career, including reaching the final of the 2015 Roland Garros Boy’s Doubles final with Tommy Paul. The 19 year-old ranked 1045, defeated Denis Kudla in the second round. Blumberg will face top seed Jordan Thompson after the Australian defeated Germany’s Dominik Koepfer 6-2, 6-3.
In the bottom half Britain’s Cameron Norrie defeated 8th seed Blaz Rola 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, whilst Christian Harrison, younger brother of Memphis winner Ryan, shocked 2nd seed Alexander Bublik 6-4, 6-7, 7-5.
In Cortina, Gerald Melzer appears to have finally found some form. The Austrian has fallen down the rankings this year, but is into the semis after a 6-4, 6-4 win over qualifier Pedro Cachin. He is joined by Roberto Carballes Baena, Matteo Viola, and Marcel Granollers.
In Prague, top seed Adam Pavlasek appears to have also returned to form. The Czech fell out of the Top 100 having struggled badly through much of this year. On home soil though, the Czech is into the semis as the top seed.
Inigo Cervantes and Pedro Sousa headline the semi-finals of the Tampere Open after 2nd seed Sebastian Ofner was beaten by Alexey Vatutin.
