Local Nottinghamshire star David Phillipson upset the odds to book his place in the semi-finals on the second day of play at Nottingham Indoor Wheelchair Tennis Tournament.
British No.3 Phillipson got the better of fourth seed and world No. 22 Tadeusz Kruszelnicki 6-4, 6-4 to record his first career win against the Polish former world No.3 in the men’s singles quarter-finals.
World No. 23 Phillipson will now face British No.1 Gordon Reid after he came through his encounter with seventh seed Laurent Giammartini from France 6-2, 6-2 to remain on course to defend his title.
"I wasn't seeded to make the semi-finals here and Tadeusz is a tough competitor, so I'm happy to be in the last four,” said Phillipson.
“But again I didn't feel I played as well as I could have today. My forehand was still a bit off, so I'll have to be better if I’m to beat Gordon in the semis.”
Third seed Marc McCarroll suffered an early scare against 14-year-old Alfie Hewett but battled from a set and 2-0 down to take the match 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
“In the first set, whatever I did he hit a winner past me and my head went down a bit but I managed to pull it back together and got on a bit of a roll to win six games in a row to level it. Alfie is a great up and coming talent so I was pleased with how I played in the final set to finish it off,” said British No.2 McCarroll.
McCarroll will face another tough match as he meets top seed and Dutch world No.2 Maikel Scheffers after he defeated British No.4 Alex Jewitt 7-5, 6-1 in their quarter-final.
After both securing wins yesterday, Jordanne Whiley and Louise Hunt learnt their semi-final opposition in the women’s draw as top seed Sabine Ellerbrock secured her place against Whiley with a straightforward 6-0, 6-0 win over Russia’s Polina Shakirova. Hunt will face second seed Jiske Griffioen tomorrow after the Dutchwoman overcame France’s Christine Schoenn 6-0, 6-2.
Watching the action at Nottingham Tennis Centre today was Labour MP for Nottingham East, Chris Leslie, who said, “I thoroughly enjoyed watching some world class tennis action in Nottingham today and the Tennis Foundation have done a great job organising the tournament. I hope these players inspire local people to go out and pick up a racket to get fit and just have some fun, whatever their age or ability.”
The quad round-robin event also continued today with Andy Lapthorne making it two wins out of two as he defeated compatriot Ian Payne 6-3, 6-0.