The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Another gruelling three set match, another win for Justin Roberts as he advanced to the quarterfinals of the Finland F1 Futures - Admares Open.

Roberts defeated a higher ranked opponent for the second time in as many days when he eliminated Tom Fawcett of the United States 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 yesterday at the event in Kaarina, Finland.

In the quarterfinals today, he will face Jonathan Mrhida of Sweden, the fourth ranked player in the draw. Mrhida opened with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Jacob Eskland of Norway and a 6-0, 6-2 win over fellow country man Lucas Renard in round two.

Roberts topped sixth ranked Louis Chaix of France in the opening round, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, before his second round win over Fawcett.

It will also be the second consecutive match he will play against someone with a connection to his play in the doubles draw.

Roberts and Fawcett were teammates in the doubles draw where they lost to Mridha and Linus Frost of Sweden 3-6, 4-6.

With an International Tennis Federation ranking of 1,388, Roberts came into the event with the 15th highest ranking in the field.

The tournamemt has featured several upsets so far as three of the top eight seeds were unable to advance to the quarterfinal.

In addition to Chaix, third seed Alexander Vasilenko of Russia was eliminated in the first round by Mattias Sumar of Estonia 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 and seventh seeded Alexis Gautier of France was eliminated in the second round by Luca Gelhardt of Germany 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

The tournament features players from ten countries. It is the second edition of the event hosted at the tennis court in St. Karins and is organised by the Turku Lawn-Tennis Club.