CHAMPAIGN, November 17, 2017

Tim Smyczek kncoked out top seed and fellow US-American Tennys Sandgren on Thursday to reach the semi-finals of the $75,000 JSM Challenger of Champaign-Urbana.

The tournament’s number seven didn’t face a break point, converting two of his own to secure a 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour and 18 minutes. Smyczek, who also clinched the USTA Australian Open Wild Card, will next face Cameron Norrie. The fourth seed from Great Britian eased past Mackenzie McDonald 6-2, 6-0 in 61 minutes.

Bjorn Fratangelo rallied from a set down to overcome last week’s Knoxville Challenger champion Filip Peliwo of Canada 4-6, 7-5, 7-6. The 24-year-old from the United States sent down 10 aces, winning 79 per cent of his first service points to prevail after two hours and two minutes. Next up for Fratangelo will be Taylor Fritz, who benefited from the retirement of Tommy Paul due to a lower back injury, leading 6-1, 3-0.