South Africa’s Vaughn Hunter and Robbie Arends bowed out of the Potch Open singles event at the North-West University in Potchefstroom after losing their first round matches on Monday.
Hunter, 26, who was awarded a wild card into the ATP Challenger 80 event, took the match all the way against French world number 246 Tristan Lamasine but could not get over the line in the final set.
In a match rich in powerful hitting and tight angles, Lamasine clinched the first set in a tie-break 7-6(1) but the hardy South African fought back in the second, claiming it 6-1.
The final set saw dazzling shots from both players, including some scintillating drop shots from Lamasine who eventually bagged the third set to win the match 7-6(1), 1-6, 6-1.
19-year-old Arends, who also received a wild card entry into the event, was the second South African to get knocked out of the tournament on Centre Court.
Arends lost in straights sets 6-2 6-2 to Roberto Quiroz of Ecuador.
The only South African player left in the Potch Open singles event, Kholo Montsi, will get his campaign underway at 10h00 on Tuesday. The 18-year-old will face Belgian Julien Cagnina in the first round.
Other players who were in action on Monday, includes unseeded Frenchman, Hugo Grenier who upset Swedish third seed and world number 148 Marc-Andrea Hüsler 7-6(5) 7-5 to advance to the second round.
Canada’s Peter Polansky, seeded 7th, battled past Viktor Galovic of Croatia 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(2) to advance.
Results
Singles
First Round
Hugo Grenier (FRA) bt 3-Marc-Andrea Huesler (SWI) 7-6(5) 7-5
7-Peter Polansky (CAN) bt Viktor Galovic (CRO) 6-2 3-6 7-6(2)
Tristan Lamasine (FRA) bt WC-Vaughn Hunter (RSA) 7-6(1) 1-6 6-1
Roberto Quiroz (ECU) bt WC-Robbie Arends (RSA) 6-2 6-2
