Brayden Schnur (Pickering, ON) is through to the semi-finals of the Winnipeg National Bank Challenger, while two Canadians are into the doubles final. The tournament, being played on the courts of the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club, offers $54,160 in total prize money.
Schnur, seeded third, breezed into the semi-finals with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Maxime Cressy of the United States. The 24 year old will now face another American, Daniel Nguyen, on Saturday with a place in the final on the line. For his part, Nguyen defeated Antonie Hoang (No .2) of France 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3 to advance.
Saturday’s other semi-final will see Slovakia’s Norbert Gombos (No. 6) and Hiroki Moriya (No. 15) of Japan go head to head. Gombos sealed a routine 6-4, 6-2 win over China’s Zhe Li, while Moriya comfortably saw off the challenge of Turkey’s Cem Ilkel 6-4, 6-2 in their respective quarter-finals matches.
In doubles action, Canadian Adil Shamasdin (Toronto, ON) and Hunter Reese of the United States (No. 1) defeated Li and Moriya (No. 3) 6-3, 6-2 to reach the final. Fellow Canadian Peter Polansky and partner Darian King (No. 4) were 7-5, 7-6 victors over Hans Hach Verdugo and Dennis Novikov.
(Feature photo: David Mahussier)