Groth Combination Head The Way

While the husband and wife duo of Sam and Jarmila Groth continued their progress in the Configure Express Pro tournament at Wellignton’s Renouf Tennis Centre, the run of Kiwi Rubin Statham and New Zealand resident, Artem Sitak was stopped in the quarterfinals.

 

Jarmila Groth the world No42 had one of the easier wins in the women’s quarterfinals with a 6-4 6-0 victory over fellow Australian, Isabella Holland. Groth who doesn’t mind making her thoughts about her shots or line calls known on court  will now face sixth seed Elitsa Kostova of Bulgaria who was fired up in her match as she accounted for third seed Arina Rodionova in straight sets.

 

The other women’s semifinal in the US$25,000 event will feature two Japanese players as seventh seed Kumiko Iijima was too consistent and experienced for young Aussie Monika Wejnert winning 6-4 7-5. Fifth seed Erika Sema beat fourth seed Eirini Georgatou of Greece in straight sets in the other quarterfinal.

 

Unfortunately for Kiwi eighth seed Rubin Statham in the men’s US$15,000 draw he came up empty handed against the hard hitting German second seed, Sebastian Rieschick. The Kiwi losing 6-4 6-4.

 

Rieschick takes on Aussie James Duckworth who has made a habit of knocking over Kiwis in the tournament. He beat Jaden Grinter in the first round. Michael Venus in the second and then soon-to-be Kiwi Artem Sitak 7-6(6) 6-2 in the quarters.

 

The vital point in the match came in the tiebreak where there was a 40 shot plus rally, eventually seeing Sitak hit the ball long and Duckworth win the first set. However it won’t be long before Sitak becomes a fully fledged Kiwi and adds some more depth to his adopted homeland.

 

The other men’s semifinal has top seed Brydan Klein against fourth seed Sam Groth. Klein easily dispatched Italian Riccardo Sinicropi for the loss of just five games, while big-serving Groth had to fight for three sets to overcome countryman Ben Mitchell.

 

Schedule, Saturday 20 November

Women’s semifinal:

Court 2 midday start

(1)Jarmila Groth v (6)Elitsa Kostova(BUL)

f.b

(5)Erika Sema(JPN) v Kumiko Iijima(JPN)

f.b

men’s semifinal:

James Duckworth(AUS) v (2)Sebastian Rieschick(GER)

 

Court 1 – from 2.30pm

Men’s semifinal

(1)Brydan Klein(AUS) v (4)Sam Groth(AUS)

 

Finals on Sunday from midday

 

Results (New Zealand unless noted)

Configure Express Pro US$25,000 Results

Women’s singles results –quarterfinals :

(1)Jarmila Groth(AUS) bt Isabella Holland(AUS)6-4 6-0,   (5)Erika Sema(JPN) bt (4)Eirini Georgatou(GRE) 7-6(1) 6-1, (7)Kumiko Iijima(JPN) bt Monika Wejnert(AUS) 6-4 7-5.

 (6)Elitsa Kostova(BUL) bt  (3)Arina Rodionova(RUS) 7-5 6-3.

 Men’s Futures US$15,000 results – quarterfinals:

James Duckworth(AUS) bt (5)Artem Sitak(Russia) 7-6(6) 6-2,  (1)Brydan Klein(AUS) bt Riccardo Sinicropi(ITA) 6-2 6-3, (2)Sebastian Rieschick(GER) bt (8)Rubin Statham 6-4 6-4 ,  (4)Sam Groth(AUS) bt  Ben Mitchell(AUS) 6-3 4-6 6-4.