Routliffe bows out in Istanbul quarter finals

There was disappointment for New Zealand doubles player Erin Routliffe in Istanbul overnight. Routliffe and her British partner Naomi Broady have been beaten in the quarter finals of the WTA tournament, the TEB BNP Paribas Championship.

They’ve lost 6-2 6-2 in 1 hour 05 to 2^nd seeded Australians Ellen Perez and Storm Sanders.

Meanwhile Michael Venus is making a surprise singles appearance at this week’s Rome Masters.  The qualifying draw wasn’t filled so Venus who signed up has got in and will play Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the first round of qualifying tonight. Chardy is ranked 60 in the world and will be a strong favourite against the double’s specialist. It’s a rare singles appearance at an ATP tournament for Venus other than Auckland’s ASB Classic where he has been a regular wildcard recipient over the years. Venus teams up with his Australian partner John Peers for the doubles in Rome with the draw coming out tonight.