MARBURG, July 4, 2017
The favourites scored comfortable wins on the opening day of the €43,000 Marburg Open, held at the TV 1965 Marburg from 1 to 8 July.
The tournament’s number three Arthur de Greef of Belgium defeated German wild card entry Benjamin Hassan 7-5, 6-3 in one hour and 27 minutes, awaiting the winner of the encounter between Spanish veteran Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo and Maximo Gonzalez from Argentina.
Seventh seed Andrej Martin eased past Kai Wehnelt of Germany, who also entered the main draw with a wild card, winning 6-3, 6-3. The World No. 148 from Slovakia didn’t face a break point, converting three of his own to advance in 65 minutes. Martin will next take on Filip Krajinovic from Serbia, who defeated Spanish wild card Jaime Fermosell Delgado 6-3, 6-1.
Small one, but important win today at @ATPChallenger in #Marburg in #Germany! 💪🎾#head #tennis @Australian_It @EMPIRETennis Academy pic.twitter.com/DKoxIB772u
— Andrej Martin (@AndrejMartinSVK) 3. Juli 2017
Jan Satral was the only seeded player, who lost on Monday. The fifth favourite from the Czech Republic fell to Benjamin Bonzi of France 6-4, 6-1. Later in the day, Satral pulled out of the doubles competition with a right shoulder injury.
Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, who is on his comeback trail and captured his first title in four years at the Poprad-Tatry Challenger two weeks ago, opened his campaign on home soil with a 6-3, 7-6 win over fellow German Julian Lenz. The former World No. 71 saved all three break points he faced, capitalizing on one of his own to secure victory in one hour and 41 minutes. Stebe will next face either Calvin Hemery of France or the tournament’s number eight Federico Gaio from Italy.
On Tuesday, top seed Casper Ruud will step into action. The #NextGenATP star from Norway will take on German qualifier Tim Puetz. Second seed Guido Pella opens his title against in-form-German Oscar Otte and former World No. 5 Tommy Robredo will play Uladzimir Ignatik of Belarus.
