{"id":112708,"date":"2025-10-10T17:24:59","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T17:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/houkes-defeats-andrzejczak-in-rwanda-open-quarterfinals"},"modified":"2025-10-10T17:40:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T17:40:01","slug":"houkes-defeats-andrzejczak-in-rwanda-open-quarterfinals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/houkes-defeats-andrzejczak-in-rwanda-open-quarterfinals","title":{"rendered":"Houkes Defeats Andrzejczak in Rwanda Open Quarterfinals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Top seed Max Houkes of the Netherlands battled through a tense three-set contest to reach the quarterfinal round of the M25 Kigali tournament at RP-Kicukiro Ecology Tennis Club.<\/p>\n

Houkes, who opened his campaign earlier this week with a straight-sets victory, was pushed to the limit by Poland\u2019s Marcin Andrzejczak before sealing a hard-fought 6\u20132, 3\u20136, 7\u20135 win to stay on course for the title.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, Belgium\u2019s Martin Van der Meerschen advanced after Austria\u2019s Maximilian Neuchrist retired early in the third set due to injury. Neuchrist had taken the first set 7-6(6) before Van der Meerschen fought back to claim second set 6-3.<\/p>\n

The Belgian was leading the third set 1-0 before Neuchrist decided to retire after suffering an injury on his leg.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, France\u2019s Corentin Denolly, the tournament\u2019s third seed and two-time Kigali champion, maintained his dominant form with a win over South Africa\u2019s Marc Van der Merwe in straight sets 6\u20132, 6\u20132.<\/p>\n

He will face Germany\u2019s Maximilian Homberg who also progressed after overcoming Morocco\u2019s Yassine Dilmi 4\u20136, 7\u20136(6), 6\u20132 in a thrilling battle. Mexico\u2019s Rodrigo Alujas, seeded seventh, continued his fine run with a commanding 6\u20131, 6\u20131 victory over India\u2019s Udit Kamboj and will next meet Van der Meerschen.<\/p>\n

In doubles action, India\u2019s Ishaque Eqbal and Maan Kesharwani cruised into the semifinals after defeating Aditya Balsekar and Darrshan Suresh 6\u20134, 6\u20131. German\u2013Nigerian pair of Edison Ambarzumjan and Christopher Bulus also advanced, as so did Dutch duo Houkes and his coach Colin Van Beem.<\/p>\n

It will now be Houkes-van Beem Vs Ambarzumjan-Bulus in the semifinal on Friday.<\/p>\n

Houkes will play the doubles after playing Germany\u2019s Maik Steiner in what promises to be an epic men\u2019s singles quarterfinal, with Denolly, Van der Meerschen, Alujas, and Raynel also in action as the race to the semifinals heats up.<\/p>\n

Raynel will face either countryman and Seed Two Florent Bax or Tunisia\u2019s Younes Lalami whose match was suspended when they were tied to 6-1 3-6 4-4 before it became dark at Kicukiro Ecology Tennis Club. They decided against continuing to play under the facility\u2019s lighting.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, all Rwandan players exited the tournament earlier in the week following first-round defeats, leaving international contenders to battle for the $30,000 prize purse in the first of two consecutive M25 Kigali events.<\/p>\n

Claude Ishimwe and Etienne Niyigena teamed up for the doubles quarterfinal but they lost it to Amaury Raynel and Ioan Alexandru Teglas in straight sets 3-6 3-6.<\/p>\n

Friday Order Of Play<\/p>\n

Center Court: Max Houkes (1) Vs Maik Steiner<\/p>\n

Court 1: Martin Van der Meersche Vs Rodrigo Alujas<\/p>\n

Court 2: Maximillian Homberg Vs Corentin Denolly (3)<\/p>\n

Court 3: Amaury Raynel (5) Vs Florent Bax\/ Younes Lalami<\/p>\n

Florent Bax Vs Younes Lalami’s round of 16 match was suspended in the third set after they decided against playing under the court lightings after it became dark-courtesy<\/p>\n\r\n