The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Justin Roberts' success is continuing on the International Tennis Federation's Futures circuit.

Roberts pulled off a three set upset over the No.6 seeded Louis Chaix France, 4-6, 6-4, 2-6, yesterday at the Finland F1 Futures-Admares Open in Kaarina, Finland.

With an ITF rank of 929, Chaix was the highest ranked player Roberts has defeated thus far on tour.

In the doubles draw, Roberts paired with Tom Fawcett but lost in the round of 16 to Linus Frost and Jonathan Mridha of Sweden, 6-3, 6-4.

The former teammates will now compete against each other today in the second round of the single's draw when Roberts and Fawcett face off to earn a spot in the quarterfinals.

The appearance in Finland is Roberts' third Futures event over the past month. He reached the doubles quarterfinal at last week's Belgium Futures, and reached the main singles draw of the Portugal F10 Futures.

Originally, the ITF Men's Circuit consisted of satellite tournaments, however, in the late 1990s, the ITF introduced Futures tournaments, allowing for greater flexibility in the organisation of the tournaments for national associations, and participation in tournaments for players. Over time, the ratio of Futures tournaments to satellites increased until 2007, when satellites were eliminated entirely.

Futures tournaments allow for players to win career titles and improve their rankings. Futures are held in both singles and doubles and last one week. As of 2017, the prize fund for each tournament is either US$15,000 or US$25,000. Futures usually have sizable qualifying draws, which allow unranked players to enter tournaments and earn ATP ranking points.

20-year-old Roberts is currently ranked at 1,378 in singles, a little higher than the 1,202 he was pegged at in 2016. He reached a career high ranking of 1184 in December 2016.

After completing a successful year at the University of South Florida as a member of their Bulls men's tennis team, Justin Roberts has transitioned to the pro circuit.

"My collegiate season was very good.

"It has given me a lot of confidence," he told the Tribune.

Roberts, coached by Ashley Fisher at USF, helped the Bulls to their fourth straight conference title with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Danny Kerznerman of UCF.

He also helped the Bulls to an upset over No.16 Mississippi State with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 win at No.2 earning him the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week.