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It will be a day to remember for Brits Jan Choinski and Toby Samuel after securing a spot in the quarter-finals of the Lexus Eastbourne Open.
Choinski claimed his spot in the quarter-final after a victory over fellow Brit Felix Gill, who replaced top seed and four-time champion Taylor Fritz in the main draw as a lucky loser.
Battling past his compatriot on a blistering day on centre court, the 30-year-old claimed a 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2 win over Gill to reach his first ATP quarter-final and became the first British qualifier to progress to the final eight of the tournament.
While it was a significant moment to secure a spot in the quarter-final of the ATP 250 event, the victory should see him break into the top-100 for the first time in his career, and it’s a significant moment for him.
“It means the world,” he said, speaking after the match. “Together with my family, my girlfriend who supports me every week, and my coach in Vienna, Gunther. I have to thank him for the last two years, we’ve been working really hard on every aspect of my game and we’ve come so far that I’ve broken the top-100.
“I’ve just turned 30, I’ve been working for this moment my whole career, for 20 years, and I’m just happy that it all worked out. It’s a milestone we’ve reached but I want more for sure.”
Having spent the morning preparing to face the world number seven, Fritz, in the second round of the main draw, so it would have been a different challenge when Gill stepped in at short notice today.
The two Brits were locked in battle for large parts of the first set, with long rallies played in front of the home crowd, and stayed on serve until the final game at 5-4. Having taken a 30-hold lead in the game with two passing winners, the 24-year-old then made two errors to hand Choinski the opening set.
Saving match point in the second, Gill went on to secure the set by edging Choinski in a close tie-break to force the match into a third and deciding set – which Choinski was ready for in the end.
Breaking the young Brit in the opening game, the vastly-experienced individual didn’t look back for the rest of the set, dropping just five points behind his serve, as he earned the win in two hours and 17 minutes.
He will face Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in the quarter-final, who progressed to the last eight of the tournament after Daniel Altmaier was forced to retire during the match.
Samuel claims first ATP tour-level win
It has been quite a few days for Samuel on the south coast.
Missing out on a spot in the main draw after a loss in qualifying to Rolando Garros semi-finalists Matteo Arnaldi before receiving a first-round bye to the second round as a lucky loser, the 23-year-old then claimed his first ATP Tour level win and booked a spot in the quarter-final at Eastbourne.
Replacing Argentine Francisco Cerundolo after his withdrawal due to a hip injury, the Brit produced his biggest performance of his career, defeating world number 54 Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-1, 7-6 (7).
Just last month, after breaking into the top-200 earlier this year and winning two ATP Challenger title, Samuel qualified for the main draw at Roland Garros for his Grand Slam debut.
This achievement will only build the confidence for the Brit ahead of Wimbledon next week, where he has received a wildcard for men’s singles main draw.
The Argentine of Tirante overcame lucky loser Hamish Steward in the first round, but Samuel certainly took him by surprise with an electric start at Devonshire Park, taking the first set in just 21 minutes.
Tirante managed to edge ahead in the second but Samuel’s momentum was deterred and quickly broke back to force a tie-break. Having exchanged mini-breaks, the 25-year-old threatened with set points but the Brit wasn’t fazed and won four of the last five points to secure his first victory over a top-100 player.
Samuel will face another Argentine in eight seed Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the quarter-final after he defeated fellow Brit Arthur Fery 6-2, 7-6(2).
