Seeded No. 1 in men’s singles at the Uganda Open, an “International Challenge” tournament which takes place from Thursday until Sunday in Kampala, the Mulhousien Arnaud Merklé, 70e world, barely made it through the quarter-finals this Saturday.
The Red Star player had to work for three sets to oust the Ukrainian Danylo Bosniuk, 104e and seeded No. 5, whom he had met twice in 2016 and 2017 (a victory everywhere).
Staggered semi-finals
The 2021 French champion ensured his qualification on his second match wheel in the decisive round, after conceding the first (18-21, 21-14, 22-20).
He will face in the semi-finals, initially scheduled for Saturday evening, but postponed to this Sunday morning, the Indian Anirudh Janardhanan (20 years old), 323e from qualifying and winner in the quarter of the Austrian Luka Wraber, seeded n ° 3 and 89e (21-18, 21-18).
“It was a very complicated match,” reacted the Haut-Rhinois after his success in the snatch against Bosniuk. “I had already played several times against him and it had never been easy. After the loss of the first set, I told myself that I had to be more aggressive and more proactive. I don’t know my Indian opponent in the semis. I’m going to study his game with my coach. I have two matches left to win this tournament and I will give everything to win it. »