First-Time Semi-finalists Seize Their Moments In Newport

Tim Smyczek, in his 13^th year of professional tennis, will play in his first tour-level semi-final at the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open in Newport. The 30-year-old American beat wild card Jason Jung of Chinese Taipei 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 on Thursday to make the last four at the season’s final grass-court tournament.

“Winning a few in a row is nice. The confidence grows. It’s nice to be able to build on some of the things that I did well in my earlier rounds,” Smyczek said.

Smyczek will meet another first-time tour-level semi-finalist in Indian Ramkumar Ramanathan. The 23-year-old from Chennai beat Canadian Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 6-2 in 78 minutes. Ramanathan saved both break points faced against Pospisil, who upset second seed Mischa Zverev of Germany on Wednesday.