Matches started at 11 a.m. with Mackenzie McDonald (USA) taking on an in-form Alejandro Gonzalez (COL). It was a relatively smooth start to the match with McDonald taking the opening set 6-2. Gonzalez rallied and reduced his error count dramatically to take the second, but it was McDonald’s day as he went on a tear-taking third set 6-2 and booked his spot in the semifinals.
Next up on stadium court was Frank Dancevic (CAN) taking on big-hitting lefty Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND). Dancevic won the first, mixing up the pace, spin and depth of his shots to great effect. Gunneswaran proceeded to find good form, however, cranking up his serve to well over the 130 mph mark and delivering a serious bout of blistering forehands to take the next two sets 6-4 6-4, booking his spot in the semis.
Number-four seed Michael Mmoh was up next against Cameron Norrie from Great Britain. “Norrie, who recently turned pro, played his usual crafty style of play, keeping Mmoh off balance and not making many errors,” said tournament director Brendan Curry. “He mixed up the speed and placement of his shots very well, utilizing the entire court and proving too much for Mmoh.” He took the match in straight sets 7-5 6-2 and also moves into the semifinals.
The final singles match of the day saw two Americans face off on stadium court. Wildcard Christian Harrison took on number-two seed Tennys Sandgren, in what turned out to be a somewhat one-sided affair. Christian had a great tournament, but ran into a Sandgren in fine form, who dispatched of him handily, 6-1 6-2.
In the second doubles semifinal, number-one seeds Marcelo Arevalo (ESA) and Miguel Reyes-Varela (MEX) beat Alejandro Gonzalez (COL) and Roberto Quiroz (ECU) 6-3 6-4 in an strong showing. “Reyes-Varela’s amazing touch shots and a high percentage first serves, combined with Arevalo covering the net like a blanket, was plenty to take them through to this year’s doubles finals.
[2] T. Sandgren (USA) d [WC] C. Harrison (USA) 61 62
[8] C. Norrie (GBR) d [4] M. Mmoh (USA) 75 62
P. Gunneswaran (IND) d F. Dancevic (CAN) 46 64 64
M. McDonald (USA) d A. Gonzales (COL) 64 36 61
Marcelo Arevalo (ESA) / Miguel Reyes-Varela (MEX) d A. Gonzalez (COL) / Roberto Quiroz (ECU) 63 64
ORDER OF PLAY – Saturday, September 30
Center Court start 11 a.m.
[WC] A. Goransson (SWE) / F. Lakat (FRA) vs. [2] L. Bambridge (GBR) / D. O’Hare (IRL)
P. Gunneswaran (IND) vs. [8] C. Norrie (GBR)
M. McDonald (USA) vs. [2] T. Sandgren (USA)
Special Olympics demonstration between matches
