MURCIA/STARNBERG, March 20, 2026
Top seed Jesper de Jong underlined his favorite status at the VII Challenger Costa Calida Region de Murcia with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Spain’s Pablo Llamas Ruiz on Friday, showcasing solid and consistent tennis throughout the match.
The world 91 from the Netherlands sent down seven aces and won 75 per cent of his first-service points to advance in one hour and 17 minutes.
De Jong will next play Roberto Carballes Beana, who overcame fourth-seeded Austrian Sebastian Ofner 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-1. In a tight battle, the No. 3 seed from Spain demonstrated strong mental resilience in the key moments to secure his place in the semifinals after one hour and 58 minutes.
In the bottom half of the draw, Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta progressed comfortably, continuing to regain his competitive rhythm. The 34-year-old Asturian controlled his match from start to finish, defeating Italy’s Andrea Pellegrino 6-3, 6-3. World No. 117 Carreno Busta converted three of his eight break-point chances to succeed in one hour and 26 minutes.
The No.3 seed rolls past Pellegrino 6-3, 6-4 on home turf 🏠 pic.twitter.com/8HiOSzCdrB
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) March 20, 2026
He will next take on Belgian Kimmer Coppejans, who edged past compatriot Gilles Arnaud Bailly in another hard-fought three-set encounter to complete the semifinal line-up of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 clay-court event. Coppejans prevailed 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and one minute.
