Renmark SA, Australia, 1 March 2018 | David Packman

Omar Jasika will face top seed Marc Polmans in the quarterfinals of the inaugural Renmark Tennis International in South Australia after defeating Darren Polkinghorne on Thursday.

Polkinghorne, playing in his home state, was a little slow out of the blocks, handing Jasika a 5-2 lead in the first set before fighting back, only to concede the match in two tiebreakers, 7-6(6) 7-6(1).

“It was tough,” said Jasika, the No.5 seed. “He’s a tricky player to play. I’ve played him a few times now and it’s always been close. I was happy to get the first set which helped me throughout the rest of the match.”

Polmans, meanwhile, fresh on the heels of his first ATP Challenger title in Launceston, overpowered Thai qualifier Chanchai Sookton-Eng 6-3 6-0.

“We’ve had some close battles,” Jasika, 20, said of his upcoming encounter with the fellow Victorian and world No.226. “I’ll just go out there and see what happens.

“I’m getting fitter and maturing more as the years go on. Hopefully it’s a big year for me and it’s been a good start this week.”

In the remaining quarterfinals, local favourite Luke Saville, the sixth seed, will take on impressive qualifier Moerani Bouzige, while third seed Dayne Kelly meets Gold Coast’s Ben Mitchell (No.8).

The only remaining international player in the field, American Nicholas Hu (No.7), plays Tasmanian fourth seed Harry Bourchier.

Hu was tested by teenage qualifier Lucas Vuradin of Melbourne, eventually progressing 7-6(5) 3-6 6-3.

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