The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH another solid performance, Justin Roberts booked his ticket into the semi-final of the men’s singles in the International Tennis Federation’s USA F35 Futures Tournament in Tallahassee, Florida.

As one of the qualifiers, Roberts continues to turn heads, upsetting No.2 seed Dmitry Popko of Kazakhstan 7-6 (3), 7-6 (1) yesterday in his biggest career victory over a ranked player.

The 22-year-old Popko, who ended last year with a 226 ranking and 227 the year before, is currently pegged at 515 in the world.

Roberts, who turned 22 on Tuesday, is 1,970. Last year, he was 1,970. However, he is working his way back from an injury that hampered his progress.

Roberts, the only Bahamian player with any ATP computer points, said he was really thrilled with his performance.

“It was another good match, two tie breaks,” said Roberts, who is playing in the tournament while sitting his final exams for his studies at Arizona State University where he is studying sports law and business after graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in finance.

“Today, I served very well and the match had a couple of breaks. In the first set, I went up a break and he broke me back and in the second set, he went up a break and I broke him back. “But I was pretty tough mentally and I played two tough tie breakers again today and so I’m just happy that I won and moved on. I hope to continue to play hard in the next match. I just want to hit some balls and have some fun.”

On Wednesday, Roberts clinched his berth into the quarter-finals with another hard fought 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) win over American Paul Oosterbaan, his training partner and good friend.

“We traded some service breaks in both sets, but I think I was a little more solid, a little more aggressive than he was in the tie breaks,” Roberts said. “It was a good performance so far all around this week.”

On his birthday on Tuesday, Roberts won his match in the main draw 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 over qualifier lucky loser Enzo Wallart.