KITZBÜHEL, August 2, 2017

The German players headlined Tuesday’s first round action at the Generali Open with Kitzbühel resident Philipp Kohlschreiber fighting past Argentine qualifier Facundo Bagnis 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

The 33-year-old German, who advanced to his second ATP World Tour semi-final of the year last week in Hamburg, fired 10 aces, winning 82 per cent of his first service games to seal victory in two hours and 11 minutes.

Kohlschreiber will next take on Jiri Vesely. The seventh seed from the Czech Republic defeated Gstaad runner-up Yannick Hanfmann 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 23 minutes.

Sixth favourite Jan-Lennard Struff saved all three break points he faced against fellow German and former World No. 2 Tommy Haas in a 6-3, 7-6 victory over one hour and 33 minutes. He plays Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci next. 39-year-old Haas was competing for the first time at the ATP World Tour 250 tournament since 1999.

“I’m very happy, very pleased to have been able to play these events,” told Haas. “That means a lot to me. Saying goodbye on my own terms was very, very important. Even here, it’s one of the nicest areas in the world, not only for summertime but in wintertime skiing, Love coming back here, love the culture here, so it was a pleasure playing in front of this crowd once again. Wish I could have been in it a little bit more, but that’s how it goes, and let’s see what the future holds.”

Two time Kitzbühel champion Robin Haase lost his opening match to Santiago Giraldo. The qualifier from Colombia withstood 19 aces, hitting seven of his own to celebrated a 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 win after two hours and 13 minutes.

Giraldo will next challenge Gerald Melzer. The wild card entry from Austria battled past Argentine Carlos Berlocq 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 in two hours and 16 minutes.

Horacio Zeballos and Renzo Olivo will meet in an all-Argentine-second-encounter. Zeballos saved four match points to overcome Rogerio Dutra Silva from Brazil 2-6, 7-6, 7-6 and Olivo beat lucky loser Thiago Monteiro 7-5, 6-2.