Struff edges Carreno Busta in thrilling quarterfinal
AUCKLAND: German JanLennard Struff progressed to the semifinals of the ASB Classic last night after an enthralling encounter against fourthseeded Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta.
Struff, doubles partner of Queenstown’s Japanbased Ben McLachlan, won the final tiebreak 97 to win the match in the third set after both earlier sets had also gone to tiebreaks.
Earlier, second seed Fabio Fognini crashed out of the classic in lifeless fashion.
The world No 13 was dispatched 63, 61 in just 65 minutes by German Philipp Kohlschreiber.
The Italian put in an apathetic display on centre court as Kohlschreiber made the semifinals for the fifth time in Auckland. He was champion in Auckland in 2008 and a finalist in 2013, but last competed in the tournament since 2016.
His 28th victory in Auckland was surprisingly easy.
While the inconsistent Fognini was a $2.60 outsider for the clash, Kohlschreiber was hardly troubled, breaking early in both sets as Fognini’s standanddeliver approach resulted in more errors than winners.
His powerful, whippy forehand was less successful than in his inconsistent threeset victory on Wednesday over Peter Gojowczyk, and he was terrible on serve, hitting seven double faults to no aces, and only getting 52% of his first serves in play.
The second set was even worse than the first, as the German veteran wrapped up a remarkably easy victory.
Meanwhile, there will be a New Zealand presence in the doubles semifinals at the ASB Classic, with Michael Venus progressing to the last four alongside South African partner Raven Klaasen.
The VenusKlaasen combination outlasted Guido Pella and Joao Sousa 75, 63 in an impressive display.
After edging a topsy turvy first set in which there were five breaks of serve, Venus and Klaasen lifted in the second set.
They forced six break opportunities, converting one, and were rock solid on their own serve.
‘‘We got up a break and kind of relaxed and they played some good points to get back on serve,’’ Venus said.
‘‘It was great to be able to get through that first set and then we started to play a bit better in the second and managed to finish it off.’’
Venus is a previous doubles champion in Auckland — 2016 with Mate Pavic — and also reached the last four in 2012 alongside compatriot Daniel KingTurner. — NZME