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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S top player at the on-going Old Mutual Zimbabwe F2 Futures tournament Benjamin Lock had a good day on the court yesterday when he beat unseeded Philip Franken 6-2, 6-2 at Harare Sports Club to progress to the quarter-finals.
Lock seeded seventh sailed through to the last eight when he dismissed Franken from United States in straight sets and he is the only Zimbabwean player remaining on course as the other representatives were booted out in the first round.
The 22-year-old was happy with the result and added that he is taking each game as it comes.
“Today was a positive day I felt relaxed out there and I think it was a good performance under the conditions and I enjoyed myself out there. I felt I played well today, I was confident and served really well.
“I really like playing at home and I feel very comfortable and playing especially on the centre court. I had a good Davis Cup match here and I really enjoy playing at home so I don’t feel any pressure,” said Lock.
Lock will play the winner between fourth seed Evan Song and Michael Grant in today’s quarter-finals.
“Both guys I could play are good players and they are both from America. I am good friends with them and it will be a good match especially on these courts and being at home I am confident I will do well,” said Lock.
Franken said he lost to a better player but remains positive ahead of next week’s competition.
“I knew it was going to be tough. He is a tall guy so I knew I was going to lose my serve and I was going to struggle a lot. I broke him in the second set and I was 2-1 up but I lost my serve again.
“It’s my second Futures, I have only started to play professional and it’s my first points so I am glad about that and he was just the better player of the day.
“I am looking forward to the other one to pick some points and just enjoy the game. I think the more you play the better you get.
“I think for the third one my call is to make quarters or semis, so I am just looking forward to it and enjoying the game,” said Franken.
In last week’s event Lock reached the semi-finals and will be hoping for a good performance again this week being the top Zimbabwean player at the competition.
In the other matches played yesterday top seed Tucker Vorster from South Africa beat unseeded Romain Bauvy of France 7-6(3), 6-1. Vorster will take on sixth seed Matias Descotte in the quarter-finals.
Evan King has a date against fifth seed Vasco Mensurado and Lloyd Harris will play Nicolaas Scholtz.
Online Reporter