The top three seeds at the ongoing GSL
Open Nigeria F3 Futures in Abuja, were on Thursday bundled out of
the $25, 000 prize-money event.
Egyptian prime seed, Youssef Hossam headed the list of
high-profile 'casualties' as he stumbled to a 7-6 (8), 6-3 defeat to India's Suraj
Prabodh while Hossam’s compatriot and second seed, Karim-Mohamed Maamoun, succumbed to fifth-seeded Moez
Echargui of Tunisia 6-3, 7-6 (2).
Brazil’s Joao Menezes also sent Austrian Maximilian
Neuchrist packing to avenge his Dayak Championship final loss to the European last
Saturday with a 7-6 (11), 6-4 win.
The most-anticipated clash of the day, which lasted exactly two
hours on the Centre Court, saw the Brazilian display a remarkable form that
culminated in his triumph at the Tombim Open, which kick-started the
three-phase ITF Pro Circuit tournament.
Indian Arjun Hadhe was the only player who avoided an
upset on the day as the fourth seed cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 win over Jelle Sels
of the Netherlands.
The semi-finals, scheduled for Friday, May 4 will see Prabodh
confronts Kadhe in an all-India affair, while Echargui battles with Menezes in what
promises to be another thrilling contest.
In the doubles, French duo of Remi Boutuillier and Tom Jomby
qualified for the final following their 7-6, 6-4 triumph over Indian pair of
Aryan Goveas and Anurag Nenwani. They will face Kadhe and Ronnie Schneider of
the United States following their 6-3, 3-6, 10- 7 victory over Echargui and Thomas Setodji
of France.
Caption:
Egypt's Youssef Hossam, beaten in the quarter-final at the ongoing GSL Open in Nigeria.
Caption:
Egypt's Youssef Hossam, beaten in the quarter-final at the ongoing GSL Open in Nigeria.
