Potch Open underway today – Here are the top seeds
Two-time ATP Challenger champion and India’s highest ranked player Prajnesh Gunneswaran is the top seed in the singles draw, while South Africa’s world-acclaimed doubles player Raven Klaasen and Ruan Roelofse are the No.1 seeds in the doubles field.
The men’s singles and doubles draws for week one of the Potch Open, an ATP Challenger 80 event have been released at the North-West University in Potchefstroom on Sunday.
Two-time ATP Challenger champion and India’s highest ranked player Prajnesh Gunneswaran is the top seed in the singles draw, while South Africa’s world-acclaimed doubles player Raven Klaasen and Ruan Roelofse are the No.1 seeds in the doubles field. Gunneswaran will open his Potch Open campaign against world No.278 Dimitar Kuzmanov of Bulgaria when the event gets underway on Monday.
Benjamin Bonzi, world No.134, from France is seeded No.2 in the singles event and will face countryman Geoffrey Blancaneaux in the opening round. Spearheading the South African challenge in the men’s singles will be teen sensation Kholo Montsi, the former world No.12 junior, who received a wildcard entry into the tournament.
The 18-year-old staged a spirited performance in the ATP Challenger 50 event in Potchefstroom last year before losing in the opening round and will be hoping to go a step further this year. Montsi will face Julien Cagnina of Belgium in his opener.
Vaughn Hunter, also a wildcard entrant, will play Tristan Lamasine of France in round one, meanwhile Robbie Arends (WC) faces Roberto Quiroz from Ecuador in his opener. The first week of the Potch Open runs from Monday, February 8, to Sunday, February 14. The second week takes place from Monday, February 15, to Sunday, February 21. Both events will take place in a bio-secure bubble, under strict COVID-19 protocols.
Potch Open seeds: Singles
- Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND)
- Benjamin Bonzi (FRA)
- Marc-Andrea Huesler (SUI)
- Jay Clarke (GBR)
- Brayden Schnur (CAN)
- Cem Ilkel (TUR)
- Peter Polansky (CAN)
- Roberto Subervi (CID)
Doubles
- Raven Klaasen / Ruan Roelofse (RSA)
- Marc-Andrea Huesler (SUI) / Zdenek Kolar (CZE)
- Benjamin Bonzi / Tristan Lamasine (FRA)
- Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) / Mark Vervoort (NED)
All Potch Open matches will be streamed live via https://360sport.co.za/ 
