Quarterfinals M. Middelkoop (NED) 6-1, 6-4 I. Nedelko (RUS)G. Sabeckis (LTU) 6-2, 6-1 A. Carpen (ROM) J. Feaver (GBR) 6-4, 6-1 E. Seator (GBR)M. Abou El Khair (EGY) 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 B. Leonte (ROM) Today Semi-finalsM. Middelkoop vs. G. SabeckisJ. Feaver vs. M. Abou El Khair Top seed Matwe Middelkoop secured a semi-final spot at the on-going ITF Men’s Futures tournament yesterday after seeing off Russia’s Ivan Nedelko 6-1, 6-4 quarter-finals.Despite a straight sets victory, it was the Dutchman’s first real test in the competition where he had eased to two wins with scores of 6-0, 6-1 respectively. Having rallied to a 6-1 first set win, Nedelko put up a much better fight at the opening minutes of the second set to put the pressure back on the tournament’s top seed (Middelkoop).The Russian caught Middelkoop off-guard with some dazzling shots. However, the Dutchman took advantage of his strong serves to seal off the game with a 6-4 second set victory. Middelkoop will now play Lithuania’s Gvidas Sabeckis in the first semi-final. Sabeckis who is ranked 702 in the world cruised to the semi-finals after ousting Romania’s Alexandru-Daniel Carpen.Unseeded James Feaver shocked Edward Seator (607) with a 6-4, 6-1 victory to set up a semi-final clash with Abou El Khair of Egypt who had earlier seen off Romania’s Leonte 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 in what has so far turned out to be the most intriguing game of the six-day tournament. Meanwhile, since Wednesday, Rwanda’s players have been watching from the stands following their early exit.The players failed to get past the first round in both categories; singles and doubles.Ends
