Top Estonian men’s tennis player Mark Lajal (ATP No. 206) was knocked out in the second round of the ATP Challenger Nonthaburi tournament in Thailand by South Korea’s Hong Seong-chan (ATP No. 273).
In a three-set thriller lasting three hours and three minutes, 20-year-old Laja eventually lost out 6-2, 4-6, 5-7 to his Korean opponent.
The Estonian men’s number one got off to a dream start, taking the opening set 6-2. However, Hong gave Lajal no time to relax, forcing his way back into the match with a 6-4 set two victory. In the deciding set, Lajal led 4-2 at one point, before Hong got into the groove, forcing his way back to 5-5. The Korean went on to win the final set 7-5 and with it, the match.
Hong will now face Marat Sharipov (ATP No. 383), who started the tournament in the qualifying round, in the last eight.
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