ESTORIL, May 1, 2017

Tommy Robredo headlined Monday’s first round action at the Millennium Open in Estoril. The Spaniard celebrated his 35th birthday with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Evgeny Donskoy from Russia, the only man to defeat Roger Federer this season.

Robredo saved the only break point he faced, converting three of his own to advance in one hour and 12 minutes. The World No. 287, who advanced to his first ATP World Tour quarterfinal since 2015 Shenzhen at Marrakech two weeks ago, will next take on the tournament’s number one Pablo Carreno-Busta.

Robredo’s compatriot will open his Estoril title bid after receiving a first round bye. Carreno Busta fell to fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who is also returning, in the 2016 Estoril final. Almagro will start his title defence against local favourite Gastao Elias, who fought past Malek Jaziri from Tunisia, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and 16 minutes.

Elias will be joined by another Portuguese player in the second round, as Federico Ferreira Silva beat Denis Istomin from Uzbekistan 6-2, 6-2. The 22-year-old wild card entry won 66 per cent of his first service points and broke sere six times to secure vicory in one hour and 10 minutes. Next up for Ferreira Silva will be fourth seed Davis Ferrer from Spain.

Del Potro Returns To Portugal

Two-time Portugal Open champion Juan Martin del Potro opens his campaign for the Millennium Estoril Open title on Tuesday against Yuichi Sugita. After five years away, the fifth seed returns to Portugal, where he has won nine matches and 17 sets in a row.

“I am very happy to be back in Estoril. I have good memories of the tournament here, winning in 2011 and 2012. This year will be a bit different, as it is going to be my first tournament of the season on clay. I hope that I can win a couple of matches,” del Potro told on Monday.

His Japanese opponent is ranked a career-high No. 73 after beating Estoril top seed Pablo Carreno Busta to reach the Barcelona quarterfinals last week.

Photo Gallery (by Brigitte Urban):