SEGOVIA, July 24, 2016

The main draw for the 31st edition of the €64,000 Open Castilla y León has been completed, as the qualifying concluded on Sunday at the Villa de El Espinar.

Only 17-year-old Australian Alex de Minaur headlined the action, knocking out top seed Daniel Elahi Galan 7-6, 4-6, 6-4, firing nine aces to prevail in two hours and 13 minutes.

“It was a tough match. The key was to stay focused mentally. I am very pleased to advance to the main draw,” the teenager told afterwards, facing the tournament’s number three Illya Marchenko in the first round.

De Minaur will be joined by David Cox. The 25-year-old Brit fought past Hendrik Jebens, winning 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 in two hours and seven minutes. Cox will take on fifth seed Mirza Basic.

19-year-old Norwegian Viktor Durasovic cruised past Alexandr Igoshin 6-4, 6-2 in only 50 minutes to face second favourite Lukas Rosol in the main draw.

Jaume Pla Malfeito emerged victorious from the all-Spanish-encounter with Javier Pulgar-Garcia, rallying from a set down 5-7, 7-5, 6-3.  The 21-year-old from Barcelona sent down seven aces and converted three of his 13 break points to finish the match in two hours and 33 minutes.

“Due to the altitude it is difficult to adapt to the conditions here,” told Pla Malfeito, who is coached by ‘Pato’ Álvarez. “We will see what is going to happen next, as the draw is very complicated,” he added, facing Ruben Bemelmans in the first round.

Nicolas Almagro

Almagro Top seed

In the meantime, world number 45 and first seed Nicolas Almagro has arrived and completed his first practice sessions on hard court.

The Murcia native entered the main draw with a wild card and will start his title bid against Frenchman Máxime Janvier.