Stellenbosch, South Africa – On day three of the Digicall Futures 2 it was smooth sailing for the men’s top seeds but the women’s seeds experienced upsets during round two played at the University of Stellenbosch on Thursday.
Last week’s women’s champion Lesedi Jacobs’ winning streak came to an abrupt end when she lost to unseeded Shao Yiji of China 1-6 1-6. It just wasn’t unseeded Jacobs day and all her attempts to find the form that won her the first Digicall Futures Series title were sidelined. Jacobs seemed a bit “flat” on court but understandably so after all the tough tennis she has played over the past ten days.
South African fourth seed, Ilze Hattingh who was also one of the tournament favourites also went out in round two. Unseeded Gabriella Taylor of Britain battled in the opening set but ended a comfortable 7-6 (5) 6-1 victor over Hattingh. Taylor now comes against another South African, eighth-seeded Madrie le Roux in Fridays quarterfinals. Le Roux secured her place in the last 8 when she beat compatriot Nelise Verster 6-2 6-1.
In the men’s Nik Scholtz and Lloyd Harris continue to fly the South African flag high. Second-seeded Scholtz beat American overcame big serving Tyler Hochwalt 6-4 6-4 and on Friday will battle against fifth seed Spaniard Javier Pulgar-Garcia for a place in the semi-finals.
Harris, the fourth seed lost only two games in his domination of Austrian Peter Goldsteiner winning 6-2 6-0.
The men’s top-seed Pascal Brunner also of Austria needed only 49 minutes on court to beat South Africa’s Lloyd Segal 6-2 6-1. Brunner will go up against the eighth seeded Italian Luca Pancaldi in Fridays quarterfinals.