Guaranteed Brit in Ilkley semi-finals (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Guaranteed Brit in Ilkley semi-finals

6:40am Thursday 12th July 2012 in Sport

Andrew Whittington is the only unseeded survivor in the JM Glendinning Group International Tournament going into today’s men’s singles quarter-finals.

The 18-year-old Australian firstly came through a tight three-setter against New Zealander Marcus Daniell in the opening round before despatching fifth-seeded Frenchman Rudy Coco yesterday in another contest that went the distance. The Melbourne teenager defeated Daniell 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-3 on Tuesday and beat a slightly ring-rusty Coco 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 yesterday.

His reward is an all-Australian last-eight match this afternoon against third seed Michael Look, who is 514 places higher than 886th-ranked Whittington in the world rankings.

Second-seeded Albano Olivetti, winner last week at Manchester, is the only other overseas player left in the singles.

The in-form Frenchman today meets seventh seed Andrew Fitzpatrick, who beat qualifier George Coup-land 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) yesterday.

Fitzpatrick is one of five surviving Britons, and two home-based players are guaranteed to be in tomorrow’s semi-finals.

Top seed Josh Goodall plays sixth seed Dan Cox, while fourth seed Dan Evans meets eighth-seeded Ed Corrie.

Goodall dropped the opening set before overcoming Italian Lorenzo Frigerio and Corrie did likewise in beating Marcus Willis.