Americans Adam El Mihdawy, Eric Quigley and Evan Song all won on the second day of the LGT Challenger, qualifying for this week’s main draw tournament. Fourth-seeded Dekel Bar from Israel knocked off wild card Shane Monroe as the fourth player to qualify for the main draw.
After receiving a bye in the first round of the qualifier on Saturday, first-seeded Adam El Mihdawy dominated the court in his match today. The 27-year old went up against Jarryd Chaplin (AUS), winning in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2. Mihdawy, a Binghamton LG&T Tennis Challenger veteran, won five out of nine break points during the match, earning his qualifying bid into the main draw. Mihdawy will face 20-year old wild card selection Alex Rybakov (USA) in the first round of the challenger tomorrow.
Quigley, who was seeded second and also had a bye in the first round of the qualifier, faced sixth-seeded American John Lamble in the lone match today to go a full three sets. Lamble got off to a hot start, beating Quigley in the first set, 7-5. The second set went game for game before reaching tiebreaker where Quigley took the frame, winning 7-6 (5). As play advanced to a third set, Lamble was able to win two games but ultimately fell to Quigley, 6-2. Quigley, who made it to the second qualifying round for singles at last year’s tournament, will face Christian Harrison (USA, No. 279) in the round of 32 tomorrow.
Third-seeded Song defeated fifth-seeded Connor Farren in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. The 25-year old Song from Henderson, Nevada won 75% of his first serve points, pushing him through to the main draw. Song will face fourth-seeded overall Akira Santillan from Australia (No. 171) in the opening round of play tomorrow. Bar, the fourth seed in the qualifier, also won his bid to the tournament by scores of 6-2, 6-4 over American Shane Monroe. Bar had eight aces in two sets against Monroe, winning four out of seven break points. Bar drew alternate Edward Corrie, the 29-year old from Great Britain (No. 380) in the first round of the challenger Monday.