The day kicked off with a fantastic contest between Gillan and Banks over on Court 2, with the 19-year-old Banks clinching her first UKPL semi-finals after a 2 hours three-setter. The Bolton star showcased a solid game, covering the court very well and alternating backhands down the line with perfectly timed drop shots. After losing the second set with just one break of serve, Banks found another gear and won 7-5, 4-6, 10-2.
Banks will face Katie Stresnakova, who has now reached the semis for the fourth time in eight appearances, advanced to the semis after Bath Alumni Holly Hutchinson had to retire after 3 games due to a back injury.
In the first men’s quarter-final, Josh Paris got it done in straight sets, defeating Julian Cash 6-4, 7-6(3) at their third encounter at the UKPL. Paris upset the highest ranked Brighton player in straight sets with a solid performance, revenging his loss to Cash in the final of week 9 in 2021. The Bisham Abbey player brought out the very best of his service game, with 82% successes in both his first serve and first serve points wins, losing only 10 points on serve in the match.
John-Baptiste came out victorious against Danielle Daley in the Gosling Academy derby, with a solid win in straight sets 6-0, 6-2. John-Baptiste, who has previously won 2 weeks of the 2021 UKPL, broke Daley right away, letting her win only 7 points in the first set. The 21-year-old tried to make a comeback in the second set, playing her best tennis and breaking at 2-2, but John-Baptiste was just relentless and got her way through to the semi-finals of week 3.
Over on court 2, Brandon Murphy reached the semi-finals after beating Canter in straight sets. The winner of week 2 had to work hard to defeat Canter 6-4, 6-4, who put up a fight and didn’t let the 21-year-old from Sutton win any point easily. Murphy will face in-form Broom who swept pass 17-year-old Jansen in less than an hour.
Cox and Lukosiute were the last two to join the semi-finals line up, with two straight sets win against Weightman and Brooks respectively.
The 9th-12th round robin stage also kicked off as there were wins for Hands, Purser, Little and Rawson who won all in straight sets.
On Thursday 5th-8th playoffs will start and the 9th-12th round robin continues as the lower half of the final table will start to take shape!
Live from 11am on Tennis Channel, BT Sport and ukpl.tv.
Full Day 4 results
- Katie Stresnakova bt Holly Hutchinson 1-2(ret)
- Marni Banks bt Alice Gillan 7-5, 4-6, 10-2
- Josh Paris bt Julian Cash 6-4, 7-6(3)
- Brandon Murphy bt Alexis Canter 6-4, 6-4
- Lauryn John-Baptiste bt Danielle Daley 6-0, 6-2
- Andre Lukosiute bt Maddie Brooks 6-0, 6-2
- Charles Broom bt William Jansen 6-3, 6-1
- Dan Cox bt Oscar Weightman 6-3, 6-3
- Tom Hands bt Samm Butler 6-4, 6-4
- Issey Purser bt Hannah Smith 6-3, 6-2
- Dan Little bt Jack Gibbens 7-6(6), 6-4
- Nadia Rawson bt Michelle Dzchangirova 6-4, 6-4