The lineup was completed for the quarterfinals in both the women’s and men’s draws at the Aegon Open in Nottingham on Thursday. Three WTA seeds were looking to book their place in the last eight and two Brits were hoping to advance as they all competed in the sunshine as well as tough windy conditions at Nottingham Tennis Centre. Here is a complete roundup of all the singles results on day four.
WTA Roundup
Top seed Johanna Konta had little trouble in reaching the last eight at the Aegon Open after she defeated Yanina Wickmayer in straight sets 6-4, 6-1. The British number one delighted the home crowd with a superb start as she raced into a 4-0 lead hitting a number of winners. Her opponent hit back to cause some concern to the top seed as the scoreline was reduced to 4-3, but the Brit regrouped and got over the line in the first set. Having had that scare Konta went to another level in the second, swiftly establishing a 5-0 lead before finishing the match in one hour and 14 minutes.
The match of the day saw Magdalena Rybarikova come through a tough three set battle to see off fourth seed Alison Riske 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5 in a match lasting two and a half hours. The Slovakian was in full control leading by a set and 5-3 and even had a match point, but a spirited comeback from last year’s runner-up saw the American force a decider. It was Riske who went up a break of serve first in the final set but the recent champion in Surbiton recovered to keep her fine grass court form going.
The final match on Centre Court was also a thriller as fifth seed Lucie Safarova rallied back from a set down and saved two match points to see off Hsieh Su-Wei 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(7). The woman from Chinese Taipei raced through the first set in no time at all, but the Czech fought back and one break in the third game was enough to level the match at one set all. The fifth seed had the chance to serve for the match in the twelfth game but was unable to and it looked as though she was down and out when facing match points in the tiebreak at 6-5 and 7-6. Hsieh double faulted on her first match point and went long with her backhand return on the second. Another double fault unfortunately brought an end to her hopes and a disappointing end to an otherwise terrific contest.
In the only women’s match to not be played on Centre Court Maria Sakkari came back from a set down to knock out Christina Mchale 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 in another match which lasted two and a half hours. After a hammering in the first set, the 21-year-old from Greece regrouped to see off a player ranked 40 places above her in the WTA rankings.
ATP Roundup
Second seed Marius Copil opened up proceedings on Centre Court with a straight sets win over Reilly Opelka 6-3, 7-6(2). The Romanian broke his opponent’s serve twice in the opening set and both players had their chances to break in the second but neither could capitalise. The big-serving American saved a match point in the 10th game and was able to force a tiebreak, but Copil took control from the outset, firing down three successive aces as he ran away with the breaker to seal the victory.
Qualifier Sam Groth ended Brit Brydan Klein’s hopes with a straight sets win 6-3, 6-4 in a match which lasted one hour and five minutes. The Australian will certainly be a real threat heading into the business end of the tournament.
Bjorn Fratangelo also booked his place in the last eight with a straight sets victory over Kenny De Schepper 6-4, 6-4 in a match which last just over an hour. The American saved all six break points he faced over the course of the match and won an impressive 14 out of 17 points behind his second serve.
The all-Australian tie out on Court 1 was a longer contest which went the distance as qualifier John-Patrick Smith saw off John Millman 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3. Ranked just under 90 places lower than his compatriot it was a fine win as Smith’s great run continues.
Looking Ahead To Day Five
It is quarterfinals day on Friday and there is a packed schedule across the grounds in the women’s and men’s draw. All four women’s matches take main stage on Centre Court with top seed Konta opening up play. Last British hope in the men’s draw Lloyd Glasspool is also due to close play on Centre against third seed Sela.
