MASPALOMAS, December 2, 2023
Due to heavy rains over night in southern Gran Canaria, Friday’s quarterfinals matches at the EÓ Hotel Open Maspalomas Challenger started with a three-hour delay. The sun, however, returned quickly to Maspalomas and the action could take place in sunny conditions until the early afternoon with temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius.
Swiss teenager Kilian Feldbausch eased past Imaol Lopez Morillo of Spain in a duel of two qualifiers, winning 6-2, 6-2 without facing a break point. The 18-year-old dominated the match with his strong serve and won 84 per cent of his first-service points to advance in one hour and 18 minutes.
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“I am very happy with my performance today. I was a bit tired at the beginning but after a few games it became better and better. I also stayed focused all the time. I would consider myself strong most of the time on the court. That helps my tennis,” Feldbausch told Tennis TourTalk after reaching his first semi-final on the ATP Challenger Tour.
“I had to cope with a lot of injuries this year and didn’t record many wins afterwards. Now, following my title win in Boca Raton I have won 10 matches in a row, and this even at Challenger level. I am very happy. Now I will have a bit of rest in my room to recover as good as possible for tomorrow.”
Feldbausch will next take on Daniel Rincon. The No. 7 seed of Spain outlasted Czech qualifier Jonas Forejtek 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. The 20-year-old lefty from Madrid withstood eight aces and broke his opponent’s serve three times to seal victory in one hour and 54 minutes.
“He played great but I felt a bit dizzy today and had to take a medical time out. This maybe broke a bit his rhythm. Of course, this wasn’t my intention but I just couldn’t play. I am happy that I made it through to the semis,” Rincon told Tennis TourTalk.
“Conditions were a bit different compared to the days before. The balls were bouncing really low and the court was heavier. Now I will try to recover for tomorrow’s match.”
After another rain shower, matches in the top half of the draw were suspended and concluded under the lights at the Conde Jackson Tennis Maspalomas. No. 3 seed Filip Misolic of Austria defeated Adrian Andreev of Bulgaria 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 38 minutes and will next face No. 1 seed Pedro Martinez of Spain, who eased past Russian qualifier Svyatoslav Gulin 6-4, 6-3. The encounter lasted one hour and 37 minutes.
