With rain moving up from the south, play at the Aegon GB Pro-Series Newcastle on Thursday was blessed with clear sunny skies, and any rain that did arrive was well after play had finished for the day.
The defeat of top seed Kyle Edmund by Peter Torebko (6-4, 6-4), means the German together with reigning champion and 5th seed Ashley Hewitt are the only two seeds to make it through to Friday’s semi-finals.
In the sole all British match of the day, 22 year old Hewitt beat fellow Brit Jathan Malik 6-2, 6-4, to set up a last 4 match with Benin’s Alexis Klegou, who came through a marathon tussle with Irish Davis Cup player Daniel Glancy, winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(1).
Meanwhile the top half of the draw sees last week’s runner-up in Edinburgh, Neil Pauffley gunning for a second successive final after overcoming Australian Jake Eames 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. In a match resumed at a set all from Wednesday, Eames had disposed of Rob Carter 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 earlier in the day, but was unable to come through a third successive three set match.
Friday’s men’s doubles final see’s 3rd seed’s Jonny O’Mara & Marcus Willis going for back to back titles, in a repeat of last week’s Edinburgh final against 2nd seeded Australians Maverick Banes & Gavin Van Peperzeel.
With the potential of rain forecast all three matches are scheduled for 10.00am, with free entry to spectators.