MANACOR/STARNBERG, August 30, 2024
The quarterfinals of the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar are set. Duje Ajdukovic leads the field after beating fellow Croatian Marin Cilic, who played his only second match after a six-month injury, on Thursday. The No. 5 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 hard-court event in Mallorca fired 17 aces and won 76 per cent of his first-service points to secure a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3 victory in two hours and 10 minutes.
Staying strong ☄️
Duje Ajdukovic wins the all-🇭🇷 battle, defeating compatriot Cilic in 3 tough sets to reach the QFs in Mallorca#ATPChallenger | @rnadalacademy pic.twitter.com/zX7zQQMxHh
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 29, 2024
Ajdukovic will next take on Marc-Andrea Huesler from Switzerland, who beat Belgian youngster Alexander Blockx 7-6(1), 6-4 in one hour and 29 minutes. Abdullah Shelbayh of Jordan and Uzbek qualifier Khumoyun Sultanov will also go head-to-head in the top half of the draw.
In the bottom half, Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas Berankis will take on Jerome Kym from Switzerland and Matteo Gigante of Italy opposes Frenchman Enzo Couacaud for a spot in the stage of the last four at the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar.
