Sela into semifinals, Glushko eyes Aussie Open Dudi

By ALLON SINAI
Dudi Sela claimed his 20th ATP Tour Challenger circuit title yesterday, lifting the winner’s trophy in Shenzhen, China (photo credit: REUTERS)
Dudi Sela claimed his 20th ATP Tour Challenger circuit title yesterday, lifting the winner’s trophy in Shenzhen, China
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Sela continued his encouraging form ahead of the Australian Open on Thursday, advancing to the semifinals of the Challenger tournament in Canberra, Australia.
The 31-year-old Israeli, ranked No. 87 in the world, defeated Sam Groth (171) of Australia 7-6 (5), 6-2 and faces Colombian Alejandro Falla (304) for a place in the final on Friday.
Sela reached his first ATP Tour semifinal since July 2014 last week, losing in the last four in Chennai, India.
In Melbourne, Israel’s Julia Glushko (184) faced Julia Boserup (119) of the USA in the second round of the Australian Open qualifiers early Friday. Glushko, which is aiming to return to the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since 2014, defeated Tereza Martincova (162) of the Czech Republic 6-2, 7-6 (3) in the first round on Thursday.
Elsewhere in Israeli tennis action, Amir Weintraub was knocked out in the first round of the men’s qualifiers on Wednesday, losing 6-2, 6-2 to Ivan Dodig.