GUIA DE ISORA/STARNBERG, February 27, 2024

Italian qualifier Raul Brancaccio headlined Tuesday’s first-round action at the Tenerife Challenger 3 by knocking out the tournament’s top seed Zsombor Piros of Hungary, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3.

The match unfolded with three very quick sets, with momentum surprisingly shifting at times. Brancaccio withstood nine aces and broke his rival’s serve five times to succeed in one hour and 18 minutes.

Brancaccio makes it 🛵

Raul Brancaccio🇮🇹 defeats the number one seed Zsombor Piros 🇭🇺 1-6 6-2 6-3 to reach the second round in Tenerife ⏫️

Next round ➡️ Daniel Merida 🇪🇸@ATPChallenger #tennis #TenerifeChallenger #VisitTenerife #Tenerife #AwakenEmotions #CanaryIslands pic.twitter.com/Do6DD8H8mY

— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) February 27, 2024

“I started poorly, but I improved and found my best level in the third set. Piros is fighting to break into the Top 100 and is experiencing one of the best moments of his career, so for me, it’s an achievement,” said Brancaccio.

Before arriving on the biggest of the Canary Islands, the World No. 325 hadn’t won a match in 2024, but last week he reached the second round after going through qualifying. This week, he confirmed his expectations of being able to perform well on the hard courts where he played a final last year.

“I went through a tough time, but that’s tennis. In Tenerife, the goal was to play many matches, and with the second round, I’ll reach eight in two tournaments,” said Brancaccio and added about the conditions on the island:

“Perfect weather to play, I feel very good here.”

TUESDAY – First Round

Raul Brancaccio (Q) def. Zsombor Piros (1) 1-6 6-2 6-3

Daniel Merida (WC) def. Yaroslav Demin 6-0 6-1

Dimitar Kuzmanov def. Rudolf Molleker (7) 6-4 4-6 6-3

Carlos Lopez Montagud (Q) def. Alessandro Giannessi 6-3 1-0 ret.

Lukas Neumayer def. Stefano Travaglia 6-3 6-2

August Holmgren (Q) def. Ilya Ivashka (8) 6-3 7-5

Yunchaokete Bu (5) def. Hadyd Habib (Q) 6-4 2-6 6-3

Jozev Kovalik (Alt) def. Iliyan Radulov 7-5 6-2

Matteo Gigante (6) def. Dennis Novak 6-1 6-3

Mitchell Krueger (LL) def. Daniel Rincón a 6-7(5) 6-4 7-6(7)

Alejandro Moro Cañas (Q) def. Oriol Roca Batalla (9) 7-5 6-4

📆 Order of Play | Wednesday 28 February

¡Octavos de final individuales y primera ronda de dobles en Tenerife!

🎟️ https://t.co/B7XXsdj4Om #tennis #TenerifeChallenger #ATPChallenger #Tenerife #Canarias pic.twitter.com/zVdO0Rooaj

— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) February 27, 2024