2016-04-15 14:28:00 CET
Men’s final four decided in China
The final four places have been decided in the men’s section of the Xiamen Open – but don’t expect to see the favorites!
Top two seeds, Chaim Schalk and Ben Saxton (CAN) and Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins (LAT), were both sent tumbling out of the competition following quarter-final defeats on Friday.
The Canadians had no answer to Spaniards Pablo Herrera and Adrian Gavira, going down 2-1 in an epic three-set clash that lasted for a dramatic 47 frenzied minutes.
Samoilovs and Smedins were gunning for another medal in the competition after winning bronze here last year, but they were sent packing by an inspired performance from Mexican duo Juan Virgen and Lombardo Ontiveros.
We had taken underdogs Michal Bryl and Kacper Kujawiak into our hearts after noticing the Poles had fought their way through the qualification stage to reach the way to the quarter-finals. But their brave challenge came to an abrupt end when they were soundly beaten by Konstantin Semenov and Viacheslav Krasilnikov of Russia in straight sets.
And there won’t be another medal for last week’s Qatar Open champs Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Carambula (ITA) as they were cast aside 2-0 by American pair John Hyden and Tri Bourne.
So the semi-final line-up for what promises to be a super Saturday in Xiamen looks like this:
Hyden/Bourne (USA) v Virgin/Ontiveros (MEX)
Herrera/Gavira (ESP) v Sememov/Krasilnikov (RUS)
Remember to check back on Monday to find out how who won what! Good luck guys!