Jason Kubler made it into the last-16 round of the Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger, part of the ATP Challenger Tour, being held at the Public Security Officers Club in Gudaibiya.
The Australian overcome an early stumble against favourite Stefano Travaglia to clinch a precious 2-1 victory in the men's singles round of 32 tie yesterday (Wednesday).
Sets scores for this excitement-filled tie player at the centre court were 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(11).
The remaining matches played on the same day were in the last-16 round saw Lorenzo Giustino of Italy edge compatriot Francisco Passaro 7-5, 6-3 to enter the competition's final eight.
Another Italian entrant Salvatore Caruso made it to the quarterfinals after a well earned 6-1, 6-2 win over Meek Gengel of the Czech Republic.
Tomas Machac of Czech Republic followed suit, beating Colin Sinclair of Northern Marina Island in straight sets to book his berth in the last eight stage. Sets scores were 6-0, 6-2.
The last men's singles match of the day saw Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff live up to his billings with a 6-1, 7-6(6) victory over Christopher O'Connel of Australia to complete the quarterfinals lineup.
Meanwhile, the last-16 round in the men's doubles event continued yesterday as the pair of Y. Chung and Marek Gengel came from behind to beat their opponents A. Popyrin and A. popyrin 3-6, 7-6(6), 10-8 in a thrilling encounter.
Another neck-and-neck clash saw the pair of R. Arneodo andS. weissborn edge the tandem of J. Ocleppo and K. Wenhelt 7-6(1), 6-4.
R. Jebavy and J. O'Mara joined the qualified players after a 6-3, 7-6(6) win over the team of V. Kopriva and P. Kotov.
In another match, V. Durasovic teamed up with O. Virtanen to beat the tandem of Y. Erel and K. Kirci 6-4, 6-4 to book berth in the quarterfinals.
A. Arnaboldi and A. Muller also had a tough match against C. Sinclair and his partner J. Taylor before emerging winner 7-5, 6-3.
The pair of Niklas-Salminen and partner B. Stevens followed suit, defeating the challenging tandem of A. Giannessi L. and Giustino 6-1, 6-3.
The last doubles match of thr day ended in favour of R. Gonzales and F. Romboli who beat T. Matsui and K. Uesugi 7-6(3), 6-7(7), 10-6.
Tomorrow's fixtures:
Viktor DURASOVIC (NOR) vs Alexei POPYRIN (AUS) [2], Thanasi KOKKINAKIS (AUS) [8] vs Alexandre MULLER (FRA), Jason KUBLER (AUS) [1] vs Daniel MICHALSKI (POL), [WC] Abedallah SHELBAYH (JOR) vs Vit KOPRIVA (CZE),
Roman JEBAVY (CZE) vs Jonny O'MARA (GBR) [1], Yunseong CHUNG (KOR) vs Marek GENGEL (CZE), Maximilian NEUCHRIST (AUT) vs Kaichi UCHIDA (JPN), Alessando GIANNESSI /Alessandro TAGUSTINO (ITA), vs STEVENS (NED) (3), Viktor DURASOVIC (NOR)/Otto VIRTANEN (FIN) vs Romain ARNEODO (MON)/Sam WEISSBORN (AUT) [2], Ruben GONZALES/ (PHFernando ROMBOLI (BRA) (4) or Toshihide MATSUI (JPN)/Kaito UESUGI (JPN) vs Andrea ARNABOLDI (ITA)/Alexandre MULLER (FRA).
