AUGSBURG/STARNBERG, May 21, 2024
German teenager Diego Dedura-Palomero has celebrated his first match win on the ATP Challenger Tour. The 16-year-old from Berlin rallied past fellow qualifier Daniel Dutra da Silva of Brazil 6-7(1), 7-5, 6-2 in Tuesday’s first round of the Schwaben Open in Augsburg.
In a high-quality encounter between two left-handers, both players showed excellent angle play right from the start. After quickly trailing 4-0, Dedura-Palomero fought his way back into the set but ultimately lost it in a tie-break. However, the youngster did not give up and came back again after another early deficit. After narrowly winning the second set, he took control and secured victory after two hours and 28 minutes.
Welcome to the tour 👏
16 -year-old Diego Dedura-Palomero becomes the first player born in 2008 to win a main draw match in his #ATPChallenger debut in Augsburg! pic.twitter.com/X3HmAej4ZT
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) May 21, 2024
The son of a Chilean father and a Lithuanian mother has become the first player born in 2008 to win a main draw match at ATP Challenger level.
“Today was the toughest match I’ve had in this tournament. My Brazilian opponent just played everything perfectly. I was down 6-7, 0-3, and I have no idea how I managed to turn it around. But I am super happy to have done it,” said Dedura-Palomero after the match. Up next for the World No. 1587 will be Italian Riccardo Bonadio.
Other first-round winners on a rain-interrupted day in Bavaria include fourth favourite Michael Vrbensky of Czechia (6-1, 6-1 vs Liam Gavrielides from Germany), No. 8 seed Elmer Moller of Denmark (6-4, 7-5 Vs Marko Topo from Germany) and home favourite Daniel Masur (Vs 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 Michael Geerts of Belgium).
