SEVILLE, September 6, 2016

The top favourite of the Copa Sevilla headlined the late night action on Day 2 of €42,500 ATP Challenger event held at the Real Betis Tenis Club, when world number 75 Inigo Cervantes fought past qualifier Bastian Malla 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to meet Chrisian Garin next.

Third seed Taro Daniel opened his title bid with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 win over Spanish lucky loser Roberto Ortega-Olmedo, who replaced Jordi Samper-Montana. The world number 101 from Japan saved three of the four break points he faced, converting four of his own to advance in one hour and 15 minutes. Daniel will next play Riccardo Bellotti, who benefited from the retirement of Fabiano de Paula leading 6-1, 1-0.

Only 17-year-old Casper Ruud rallied from a set down to overcome David Perez Sanz 4-6, 7-6, 6-4. The Norwegian lifted two trophies on the ITF Pro Circuit this season and is appearing in his maiden ATP Challenger event. He battled through the qualifying and withstood 12 aces in his first round match, hitting four of his own to seal victory in two hours and 33 minutes.

Ruud has earned a second round clash with Andrej Martin. The fifth seed from Slovakia, who captured the doubles trophy at the Città di Como last Saturday alongside Roman Jebavy, beat Czech veteran Jan Mertl 7-5, 6-3.

Jeremy Jahn set a second round encounter with the tournament’s number two Gerald Melzer. The 26-year-old qualifier from Germany edged past Pol Toledo Bague 7-6, 6-1.