NUR-SULTAN, March 12, 2020

Tallon Griekspoor headlined Thursday’s third-round action at the Nur-Sultan Challenger I held on the indoor hard courts of the National Tennis Center in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. The No. 13 seed from the Netherlands knocked the tournament’s No. 1, Mohamed Safwat from Egypt, winning 6-1, 7-6(8).

Griekspoor saved all five break points he faced and converted two of his own seven break point chances to advance in one hour and 31 minutes. The World No. 199 from Amsterdam will next face Pavel Kotov of Russia, who received a walkover from Mats Moraing. The German was part of a group of players, who left the country before they would have quarantined. Kazakhstan has barred entry to travelers from different nations, France and Germany amongst others, due to coronavirus health concerns.

Kimmer Coppejans remains the highest seeded player left in the singles draw of the ATP Challenger 80 event. The No. 3 seed from Belgium edged past Elias Ymer from Sweden 7-6(4), 1-6, 6-2. Coppejans won four points less than his opponent but secured victory in two hours and eight minutes. Up next for the World No. 154 will be No. 11 seeded Russian Roman Safiullin, who outlasted Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 in one hour and 40 minutes.

No. 11 seed Bernabe Zapata Miralles of Spain defeated in-form Austrian and No. 4 seed Jurij Rodionov 6-2, 6-2 in 66 minutes to face Aslan Karatsev of Russia in the quarterfinals. Dutchman Jesper de Jong will meet No. 15 seed Illya Marchenko from the Ukraine in the stage of the final eight. Friday’s Nur-Sultan Challenger matches will start not before noon local time.