Fledging New Zealand tennis professional Danny Willman showed plenty of promise but was beaten by a more experienced player, defending champion Michael Joyce, in the second round of the $US25,000 ($NZ60,400) International Challenger in Hamilton yesterday.
Joyce, who is seeded seventh and has a ranking of 223 compared to Willman's 952, was too consistent from the baseline and proved that playing in Challenger, ATP and Grand Slam events he will generally beat someone who is competing in their first Challenger.
Willman was the last New Zealander remaining in the singles and was defeated 2-6, 5-7. Top-seed Petr Kralert was also knocked out of the tournament.
Kralert, with a ranking of 149, was beaten 6-7 (6-8), 5-7 by British player Arvind Parmar who was too steady on the vital points and joins compatriot Martin Lee in the quarter-finals.
The remaining half of the second-round draw will see three qualifiers take the court and a quarter-finalist from last year's tournament, Barry Cowan from Britain.
- NZPA
Tennis: Willman beaten by champ
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.