POZOBLANCO/STARNBERG, July 19, 2024
Antoine Escoffier leads the quarterfinals line-up of the Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco Memorial Fabián Dorado. The top seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 50 hard-court tournament in Andalucia rallied past Illyan Rudolov of Bulgaria 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 on Thursday.
Escoffier, 32, hit seven aces and won 80 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after two hours and 14 minutes. The World No. 209, who has captured 15 titles on the ITF Pro Circuit and is bidding for his maiden Challenger crown this week in Pozoblanco, will next take on sixth-seeded Spaniard Alberto Barroso Campos. The 28-year-old Montijo native defeated Andrea Picchione of Italy 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 40 minutes.
In other action, Robin Bertand of France defeated Luca Castelnuovo from Switzerland 6-3, 6-1. The No. 4 seed didn’t face a break point and converted four of his own 10 break-point chances to advance in one hour and five minutes.
Bertrand will next oppose his compatriot Laurent Lokoli, who benefited from the retirement of Canada’s Steven Diez. The 29-year-old Frenchman was leading 7-6(3), 1-0 when Diez was forced to stopped playing due to a harmstring injury.
🎾 Tarde de grandes emociones en el Open.
Y nos ha dejado una vez más instantes únicos que podemos captar foto a foto.
¡No os perdáis esta galería!#TenisPozoblanco #ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/GIk3iqJYmU
— Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco (@PozoblancoOpen) July 18, 2024
THURSDAY RESULTS
Singles – Second Round
Alberto Barroso (ESP) def. Andrea Picchione (ITA) 6-3 7-5
Robin Bertrand (FRA) def. Luca Castelnuovo (SUI) 6-3 6-1
Laurent Lokoli (FRA) def. Steven Díez (ESP) 7-6(3), 1-0, 30-15 ret.
Antoine Escoffier (FRA) def. Iliyan Radulov (BUL) 5-7, 6-4 6-1
