Melzer, Mertens to clash in ITF semi finals

Today: Semi-finalsMelzer Gerard (Aut) vs Yannick Mertens (Bel)Lukas Jastraunig (Aut) vs Lazov Alexander (Bul)Quarter-final resultsM.Gerard (Aut) def M. Mithun (Ind) 6-0, 6-1Y. Mertens (Bel) def. L. Papasidero (Ita) 6-2, 6-2L. Jastraunig (Aut) def. F. Mark (SA) 6-4, 6-2A. Lazov (Bul) def. N. Jeevan (Ind) 6-4 7-6DoublesJ. Liniger/M.Murali def F. Garzelli/L. Papasidero 6-3 6-1L. Jastraunig/G. Melzer def. S. Ahuja/K. Anand 7-6 6-2Austrias Gerard Melzer faces Yannick Mertens of Belgium in the semi-final of the ITF Men’s Futures tournament today at the Umubano Hotel courts.The clash between the two top seeds is a repeat of the first leg clash played in Bujumbura, Burundi last month, which Mertens won.Both players go into today’s clash after registering convincing straight set wins in their respective quarter final matches yesterday. Melzer thrashed India’s Mithun Murali 6-0, 6-1, while Mertens eliminated Italian Lorenzo Papsidero 6-2, 6-2.In Bujumbura, the Belgian Mertens beat his Austrian opponent Melzer 6-2, 6-3 at the same stage and went on to win the tournament after overcoming another Austrian Lukas Jastraunig 6-2, 6-1.Melzer, who won last year’s legs in Burundi and Rwanda, has only managed to win the USA F12 futures this year. The left handed player is ranked 201 on Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings.However, Mertens, who is ranked 347 on ATP rankings, is the favourite to win the Kigali leg to add to his collection from Burundi F1 Futures last month and the Germany F10 Futures. He is also the defending champion for the Great Britain F3 Futures.In another semi-final match-up, Austria’s Lukas Jastraunig faces Bulgaria Alexander Lazov. Jastraunig edged out South Africa’s Fynn Mark with a 6-4, 6-2 win, whereas Lazov defeated India’s Nedunchezhiyan Jeeva 6-4, 6-4.

Sports

Melzer, Mertens to clash in ITF semi finals