South African rising star Isabella Kruger joined her sister, Zoe, in the second round of the Ilana Kloss international, an ITF $25,000 World Tour event at the North-West University in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
The 15-year-old qualifier booked her passage to the next stage of the Ilana Kloss International with an effortless 6-1 6-1 win over compatriot and wildcard Suzanie Pretorius in a tension-free meeting on court 2.
Kruger will next face Hungarian fourth seed and world number 207 Reka-Luca Jani in the second round.
“I am happy I managed to get through two qualifying matches earlier this week and now I got my first-round victory in the main draw,” said Kruger.
“I am excited and look forward to rest of the week.
The Kruger sisters are South Africa’s last hopefuls for tennis glory in Potchefstroom after the country’s leading player, Chanel Simmonds was knocked out of the singles event on Tuesday.
Isabelle’s sister, Zoe, booked her place in the second round of the ITF $25,000 World Tour event with a hard-fought three-sets victory over Canada’s Carol Zhao on Tuesday
On the men’s side, South African world-acclaimed doubles player Raven Klaasen and Ruan Roelofse booked their place in the next round of the Potch Open, an ATP Challenger 80 event.
Klaasen and Roelofse eased past wildcard entrants Vasilios Caripi and Vaughn Hunter 6-3 6-2 to set-up a second-round clash with Julien Cagnina of Belgium and Nicola Kuhn of Spain.
“It’s really nice to be back playing competitive tennis and especially being in Potchefstroom where I played my earliest Davis Cup tie with good memories,” commented Klaasen.
“Being able to play in South Africa is very special for me, as we don’t get the chance to do so very often.
“Ruan (Roelofse) and I got a good win today. I think the Davis Cup epxerinece all the years has really helped us.
“I am looking forward to the next few rounds and hopefully we can getting our momentum going and putting on strong performances.
In the singles event, second seed Benjamin Bonzi of France advanced to the quarterfinal round with a hard fought 3-6 6-4 6-3 victory over Ecuadorian Roberto Quiroz.
According to form, Bonzi is one of the favourites for the title. The 24-year-old won the men’s $ 25 000 ITF World Tour event title in Potchefstroom last year.
Joining Bonzi in the quarterfinals of the ATP Challenge will be Canada’s Peter Polansky, American qualifier Nick Chappel, and qualifier Mirza Basic from Bosnia and Herzegovina.