POZOBLANCO/STARNBERG, July 17, 2024

Alberto Barroso Campos, the only Spanish player seeded in the 29th edition of the Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco Memorial Fabián Dorado, advanced to the second round of the hard-court tournament that witnessed a disappointing second day for the Spanish contingent. Five other home favourites, who made their debut in this ATP Challenger Tour 50 event held until July 21 in Pozoblanco, Cordoba, were eliminated.

Among them, one had to lose, as Barroso Campos faced Catalan qualifier Albert Pedrico Kravtsov. The match was decided in two sets, but it could have gone either way, with Barroso Campos ultimately saving two break points that would have taken the match to a third set.

The Extremaduran player struggled with his serves due to Pedrico Kravtsov’s pressure but relied on his experience to break his opponent in the eighth game and secured the first set. Pedrico Kravtsov was dominant again at the start of the second set, breaking Barroso Campos’ serve after six break points. However, he couldn’t consolidate the break, losing his serve immediately. The match became tightly contested until Barroso Campos, leading 6-5, saved two set points and then dominated the tie-break to secure a 6-3, 7-6(5) victory in one hour and 56 minutes.

Merida falls to Holmgren

Hopes were high for Daniel Merida, who had won the Copa del Rey de Huelva two days before, defeating Dominic Thiem and Fabio Fognini en route to the title. However, Merida struggled with the switch from clay to hard and the altitude change in Pozoblanco, losing to No. 3 seed August Holmgren of Denmark 6-4, 6-1 in only 57 minutes.

Local favourites with first-round exits

The two Cordoba-based players, who both entered the main draw with a wild card, also fell in the opening round. Alejandro Lopez Escribano and Miguel Cejudo both managed to equalize early breaks in their respective first sets against Swiss Luca Castelnuovo and Italian Andrea Picchione. However, their more experienced rivals took control as the matches progressed, winning the first sets and then comfortably securing their victories.

Benjamin Winter from Andalucia had little chance against fourth seed Frenchman Robin Bertrand, whose baseline dominance overwhelmed Winter’s resistance.

🎾 Cuenta atrás para despedir el martes pero en el Open…

¡Seguimos teniendo fotos para vosotros!

¡Eh! Y mañana…

¡Más tenis!#TenisPozoblanco #ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/a0AFs79zLz

— Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco (@PozoblancoOpen) July 16, 2024

TUESDAY RESULTS

First Round – Singles

L. Castelnuovo (SUI) def. [WC] M. Cejudo (ESP) 6-3 6-1

A. Picchione (ITA) def. [WC] A. Lopez Escribano (ESP) 6-2 6-1

[6] A. Barroso Campos (ESP) def. A. Pedrico Kravtsov (ESP) 6-3 7-6(5)

[3] A. Holmgren (DEN) def. D. Merida (ESP) 6-4 6-1

F. Andaloro (ITA) def. [8] J. Cui (CHN) 7-6 6-3

[4] R. Bertrand (FRA) def. B. Winter Lopez (ESP) 6-1 6-1

A. Donski (BUL) def. U. Blanch (USA) 6-3 6-1

[1] A. Escoffier (FRA) def. I. Marrero Curbelo (ESP) 6-4 y 6-2

S. Diez (CAN) def. G. Piraino (ITA) 6-2 y 7-6(10)

I. Radulov (BUL) def. P. Buldorini (ITA) 6-3 y 6-3

L. Lokoli (FRA) def. [7] A. Gautier (FRA) 6-3 y 7-5