Tennis: NZ number one continues into Challenger quarterfinals

Michael Venus of New Zealand. Photo / Sarah Ivey

New Zealand's number one men's tennis player Michael Venus is into the quarterfinals of the Aptos Challenger tournament in California after beating South African Raven Klaasen today.

Venus, who beat the fifth-seeded Australian Chris Guccione in straight sets in the first round, continued his recent good form to down Klaasen 6-4 6-4 in the second round of the US$100,000 ($119,768) event at the Seascape Sports Club.

He will face the tournament's top seed and world number 62, Russia's Igor Kunitsyn in the last eight.

- NZPA