The Dallas Tennis Classic features an ATP-level of play despite it being a Challenger event. Most of the players in the draw are on their way to Miami and are getting some match practice before arriving there. Tommy Haas, Igor Andreev, qualifier Frank Dancevic, and Bjorn Phau have all reached the semifinals this week. Frank Dancevic produced the biggest upset so far, beating Marin Cilic in a very close quarterfinal match, 7-6(5), 7-6(5).
Tommy Haas, who enjoyed a good first round win against Nieminen at the BNP Paribas 1000 event last week has stepped up his play and hasn’t lost a set going into the semifinals. Haas has been recovering from injuries the last few months and is based in the Los Angeles area, he managed to get through Gilles Muller in straight sets 6-4 6-4. Igor Andreev has steadily moved through the draw, the former top 20 player looking to return to form. Andreev outlasted #8 Lukas Lacko 6-3 3-6 6-2. Bjorn Phau is a journeyman player and one of the quickest players in the world that has hovered around the low 100s. He battled through Robin Haase 6-4 7-4(4). The winner of this event will receive 125 ranking points.
Topics: Bjorn Phau, Frank Dancevic, Igor Andreev, Robin Haase, Tommy Haas