Saturday’s Order of Play

Singles semifinals

(5) C. Tabur ((FRA) vs D. Wenger (SWI) 10:30 am CAT

Followed by

(Q) K. Majchrzak (POL) vs (4) M. Trungelliti (ARG)

Doubles final

D. SD Prajwal (IND)/D. Pichler (AUT)

vs T. Fancutt (AUT)/H. Reese (USA) - Not before 1:30 pm CAT

Argentine Marco Trungelliti will go into Saturday’s Rwanda Challenger Week 2 semi-final hoping for a revenge against Polish rival Kamil Majchrzak who beat him in the final of the first week of the tournament.

It took the number 4 seed three sets to come from behind and beat Egypt’s Mohamed Safwat 1-6, 6-2, 6-1 on in the quarterfinals, while Majchrzak defeated Stefan Kozlov (USA) 6-3, 6-0 to progress to the last four on Friday at Kigali Ecology Tennis Club.

Speaking to Times Sport after the match, Trungelliti, said, "It was not an easy match, today Muhamed started well, I felt that I couldn't do much, even though I made some mistakes, double faults but I think he overplayed me on forehand, backhand."

"In the second set I had a tough start, I faced break point in the first game then I decided to go a little bit further, so that gave me some extra time to push him a little back further, and he started to play (worse) than he was doing in the first set."

"From that point I also raised my level and I took advantage in the second set very quickly and also in third one, even though he broke me but I immediately broke him and it was over," he noted

Regarding his next march against Majchrzak, the World No. 208 said, "Ready for revenge. When I first saw the draw, it was something I was wishing, so let’s see how it goes tomorrow but am fully prepared for a big match."

And week 1 winner Majchrzak said he is ready for the test. On the semi-final clash with Argentine, the Pole said, "I know Marco, I already played him here but the most important thing is to do my best, enjoy the game and keep up the best fight possible."

There was shock defeat for seed 3 Calvin Hemery, who lost to his French compatriot Clement Tabur 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in a match that lasted 2 hours 44 minutes on center court.

Hemery took the first set comfortably and was looking good in the second but then started to struggle with his movements.

He received treatment on his left leg, an injury he says he had even before he came to Kigali. He lost the second on tiebreak and the third 6-4.

Credit to Tabur (5), who served so well throughout, and, after sensing his opponent's dropping levels, took full advantage and never looked back or in danger of losing his momentum.

Afterwards, he said, "It a pretty tough match, Calvin served so well but (in second set) I was just focused on my own serve and trying to play the tiebreak. I served well throughout the match, and it helped me."

"I won the match because my serve was easy, I had time to deal with his (serve)," added the 24-year old.

Regarding his meeting with Swiss Damien Wenger, he noted that, "He is a good friend, we know each other since junior and it's going to be a special match."

Wenger booked his place in the last four of an ATP Challenger tournament for the first time in his career after beating Israeli Daniel Cukierman 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) on court 1 in 2 hours 23 minutes.

"I am very happy to win today, it's my first semifinal in the Challenger, actually today was my first quarterfinal. I hope I saved my best for tomorrow, and I try to be ready," the Rwanda Open M25 week 1 winner told Times Sport.

"It's going to be a good fight against a good friend. We know each other since we were juniors, he is a good player but I will do my best and try to win," noted the 23-year old world number 261.

Meanwhile, Dev SD Prajwal (IND) and David Pichler AUT) will face Thomas Fancutt (AUT) and Hunter Reese (USA) in doubles final on Saturday.