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| 23 Mar 2007 - ITF - James Harrisson | |
| Top seeds survive in Porto Alegre |
Top seeds Roman Jebavy (CZE) and Reka Zsilinska (USA), make it safely through to the quarterfinals of the Grade A Copa Gerdau in Brazil.
Jebavy, currently ranked number three in the world, suffered an early setback in his third round match against Argentine Ignacio Martire, losing the first set before fighting back to win 57 63 60. The Czech number one is now the only seed remaining in the top half of the draw, giving him a clear view of Sunday’s final.
However, Jebavy may not have things all his own way. His quarterfinal opponent is Belarusian Vladimir Ignatic, and after that Alexey Grigorov (RUS) and wildcard Rafael Garcia (BRA) are possible semifinal opponents. All have staged upsets against higher ranked players this week and are sure to prove a tough test for the top seed.
The bottom half of the boys’ draw has a much sterner appearance. Second seed Fernando Romboli (BRA) recovered from a terrible start in his match against David Rice (GBR) to win 06 62 64 and now faces tenth seed Patricio Alvarado (ECU) in the quarterfinals. Third seed Stephane Piro, who boast a 20-2 win/loss record this year, also made it through with a solid 63 63 win over Ilija Vucic (SRB). He now faces sixth seed Ricardo Urzua-Rivera (CHI) in the quarterfinals.
The top two seeds in the girls’ draw are also still on course to meet in the final, although there is still some tough opposition between them and the Copa Gerdau trophy. Top seed Zsilinska picked up convincing 62 64 third round win against Tetyana Arefeyeva (UKR) and now faces Cindy Chala (FRA). Chala is currently on top form, having demolished eighth seed Elena Bogdan (ROU) in round three, and could prove a true test for Zsilinska.
Second seed Roxane Vaisemberg, yet to drop a set in the competition, cruised past fourteenth seed Alexandra Damaschin (ROU) 64 61 to set up an enthralling quarterfinal encounter with fifth seed Malena Gordo (ARG).
The upset of the day in the girls’ draw was the straight sets defeat of third seed Tamaryn Hendler (BEL) by sixteenth seed Bojana Jovanovski (SRB). Hendler, who won the Grade 1 Banana Bowl title last week could not compete with Jovanovski’s powerful play, going down 62 63. There was also a big upset in the bottom half of the girls’ draw as Mallory Cecil (USA) beat fourth seed Ioana Ivan (ROU) 64 62. Cecil’s next opponent is Victoria Larriere (FRA), 75 61 victor over Veronica Cepede (PAR).
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