Daniell joins Venus in Washington ATP 500 semis

The ATP 500 tournament in Washington is turning into an outstanding one for New Zealand’s Olympic Bronze medalists Michael Venus and Marcus Daniell.

Both Kiwis are through to the semi-finals. Venus and British partner Neal Skupski the second seeds defeated ex Kiwi Cam Norrie who represents Britain and Australian Luke Saville on Friday, 6-2 6-3. They have been joined in the semis today by Marcus Daniell and his Brazilian partner Marcelo Melo who have beaten the Australian pair of Alex De Minaur and Jordan Thompson 3-6, 6-1 10-8. They will face yet another New Zealand born player, Ben McLachlan who hails from Queenstown but represents Japan and his South African partner Raven Klaasen for a place in the final.

Venus and Skupski will play two of the sport’s brightest singles stars in Italian Jannik Sinner and American Sebastian Korda for a place in the final.

Meanwhile young Kiwi Ajeet Rai is into the double’s final at his latest ITF tournament in Monastir in Tunisia. Rai and Blake Ellis have beaten the Italian duo of Mattia Bellucci and Erik Crepaldi 6-3, 3-6, 10-2.