HEILBRONN, May 17, 2017

Eight players were in second round singles action on Wednesday at the €64,000 NECKARCUP in Heilbronn led by fourth seed Norbert Gombos, who edged past Steven Diez from Canada, winning 6-1, 6-4.

The World No. 100 from Slovakia, who is currently ranked on a career high, had a tough opening match, coming back from a set down to overcome German wild card Daniel Brands on Tuesday. Against Diez, Gombos was in control of the encounter saved the only two break points he faced, converting three of his own to advance after 65 minutes.

Gombos will next take on #NextGenATP star Casper Ruud. The 18-year-old from Norway fought past Mirza Basic from Bosnia and Herzegovina, winning 7-5, 6-7, 7-5. Ruud withstood 10 aces and broke serve six times to prevail in two hours and 33 minutes. The teenager and Gombos will square off for the first time.

Marton Fucsovics emerged victorious from a topsy-turvy encounter with Kimmer Coppejans from Belgium. The 25-year-old from Hungary won 72 per cent of his first service points and converted four of his 12 break point chances to seal a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory in two hours and five minutes.

Next up for Fucsovics will be Filip Krajinovic. The qualifier from Serbia benefited from the retirement of Germany’s Tobias Kamke leading 6-1, 1-0 in the night session.