MANACOR/STARNBERG, August 31, 2024
Duje Ajdukovic from Croatia is the last seeded player standing in the singles draw of the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar. The fifth favourite of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 hard-court tournament in Manacor, Spain defeated Marc-Andrea Huesler from Switzerland 6-3, 7-6(2) on Friday to reach the semi-finals.
Ajdukovic, who is seeking his third career triumph on the ATP Challenger Tour this week, his first of the season, struck seven aces and won 70 per cent of his first-service points. The World No. 134 secured victory in one hour and 40 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
Up next for the Ajdukovic will be Uzbek qualifier Khumoyun Sultanov, who rallied past Abdullah Shelbayh of Jordan 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 in one hour and 55 minutes.
In the bottom half of the draw, Swiss Jerome Kym defeated Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas Berankis 6-3, 6-2 in 69 minutes to meet Italian Matteo Gigante in the stage of the last four. Gigante beat Frenchman Enzo Couacaud 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 10 minutes.
