Seeds begin to tumble in Fuzion 100 Ilkley Trophy

Michael Graham
June 21, 2018

Day four of the Fuzion 100 Ilkley Trophy saw five of the top eight seeds fall during the day, with three Brits also in action in a tough ITF Pro Circuit first round.

Wednesday’s action suffered a delayed start and change in schedule due to a lengthy rain delay, but it was all action once play got underway.

Harriet Dart confirmed her Wimbledon wild card pedigree, producing the only British singles win of the day in beating Richel Hogenkamp in convincing fashion 6-3, 6-0.

The other Brits, Maia Lindsey and Katie Swan, lost to No.1 seed Kaia Kanepi and umber three seed Luksika Kumkhum respectively, Lumsden going out 6-3 6-2 and Swan – another Wimbledon wild card – in three sets 4-6 6-3 6-4.

Former 2016 Ilkley Trophy champion Evgeniya Rodina came from a set down to beat number six seed Nicole Gibbs (USA) 2-6 6-3 6-0, while 2018 Fuzion 100 Manchester Trophy champion and Wimbledon wild card Ons Jabeur carried on her rich vein of form in defeating number four seed Viktorija Golubic 6-4 6-3.

Second seed Belinda Bencic withdrew from her opening round match due to injury against qualifier Abigail Tere-Apisah having fallen a set and two games behind.

Three second round matches took place in the ATP Challenger Tour men’s draw today. Top seed Jordan Thompson was the first quarter-finalist, beating Japan’s Hiroki Moriya 6-2 6-2. He will next face no.8 seed Sergiy Stakhovsky who moved comfortably past Kevin King (USA) 6-4 6-0.

Oscar Otte also booked his place in the quarterfinal, producing a fine display on centre court and dispatching no.2 seed Zurgen Zopp (EST) in straight sets 7-6(3) 6-3.

In the doubles competition, Bencic also retired from her match with partner Bibiane Schoofs, gifting British wild card pair Olivia Nicholls and Gabriella Taylor a place in the quarter-finals.

The other British women’s doubles pair Danielle Daley and Louise Holtum lost to Natela Dzalamidze and Galina Voskoboeva (3)6-7 6-3 10-5.

Thursday sees Brit pairing Liam Broady and Scott Clayton – confirmed today as doubles Wimbledon wild cards – return against Ilkley’s third seeds Purav Raja and John-Patrick Smith.

The men’s second round concludes with third seed Thomas Fabbiano number five seed Peter Polansky and number seven seed Michael Mmoh all in action.

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