CIUTADELLA, MENORCA/STARNBERG, April 2, 2025
Ignacio Buse recorded an impressive win over former World No. 3 Marin Cilic to reach the second round of the Open Menorca. The 21-year-old Peruvian beat the third-seeded Croatian, who arrived on the Balearic Islands fresh from his triumph at the Girona Challenger, 6-2, 6-1 on Wednesday afternoon.
In the pair’s first meeting, Buse saved the only break point he faced and converted four of his six own break-point chances to advance in one hour and 16 minutes.
Ignacio Buse derrota a Marin Cilic, uno de los grandes favoritos, por dots sets a cero y estará en segunda ronda.
El peruano se muestra encantado con esta primera edición del #OpenMenorca. #atp #atpchallenger #ontherise pic.twitter.com/Y4k0AFNYn5
— Open Menorca (@open_menorca) April 2, 2025
“I have very positive feelings. I feel at home in Menorca. My physiotherapist is from here,” said Buse. “It’s always an honor to play against Marin. It’s my first time facing him, but he has had an incredible career. Being able to play against him now, at 36 years old, is special. I’m not saying he’s retiring—hopefully, he has many more years ahead—but just having the chance to compete against him is an honor.”
Up next for the World No. 215, who is based at TEC Carles Ferrer Salat Academy in Barcelona and is seeking his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour, will be Daniel Rincon. The 22-year-old Spaniard battled past Belgian qualifier Kimmer Coppejans 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 after two hours and 51 minutes.
In other first-round action, Elmar Moller defeated Spanish qualifier Max Alcala Gurri 6-3, 6-3. The No. 4 seed from Denmark broke his rival’s serve five times to succeed in one hour and 25 minutes. Moller will next oppose Benjamin Hassan of Lebanon.
