02.06.2016 15:05:54 | The twenty-six-year-old Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania, currently No. 50 in the world and the first seed at the UniCredit Czech Open, succumbed to Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in two sets in the quarter-final. The twenty-four-year-old Hungarian advanced to the main event from the qualification. He first appeared in the final of the international Nike Junior Tour in Sun City, South Africa in 2003, he won the Junior title in Wimbledon in 2010 and two Challengers in China and Italy.
Berankis also achieved great results as a junior. He appeared in all junior Grand Slams in 2007, made it through to the semi-final in Melbourne, reached the last eight at Roland Garros and, finally, won the US Open. After his triumph in New York, he won the Orange Bowl for the second time and closed the season as the ITF junior world champion. What did he say about Marton Fucsovics’s advancement to the semi-finals? “First, I’d like to point out that it was not easy to play on the Centre Court. It is much faster than the other courts. Yes, the outside courts are very fast, but the Centre Court is even faster. Berankis is a great player and I’m glad I finally beat him. I served well and managed to convert my chances..“
He may meet Cervantes or Pavlásek in the next round. “You can’t really choose who you’d like to play in the semis at such a tournament. However, one thing is for sure: I want to succeed again, not only in the next match.“
How does the fresh semi-finalist like the Prostějov tournament? “I really like it here a lot. It’s great that he hotel is right in the premises of the tennis club. Moreover, many people come and support us and every has been very nice here so far. However, the courts could be a little better, but it was probably caused by the rain. All in all, it’s been a very good tournament.“
