CORDENONS, August 13, 2017

The ATP Challenger Tour has returned to the clay courts in Italy for the €64,000 Acqua Dolomia Tennis Cup, held from 14 to 20 August at the Eurosporting complex in Cordenons.

Four of the seeded players in the qualifying draw advanced to the final stage on Sunday with second favourite Christian Lindell beating Francesco Ferrari of Italy 6-2, 6-2. The World No. 355 from Sweden saved seven of the eight break points he faced, converting five of his own to seal victory in one hour and 21 minutes.

Lindell will play Igor Zelenay from Slovakia for a spot in the main draw. The two will be joined in the third round by fourth seed David Pichler and fellow Austrian Maximilian Neuchrist, the qualifying’s number five. The latter will take on Gianluca di Nicola of Italy and Pichler will challenge seventh seeded Italian Adelchi Virgili.

Top-seed Mikael Ymer entered the main draw as alternate, when Slovenian Blaz Rola was forced to withdraw from the ATP Challenger event. The teenager from Sweden will open his Cordenons campaign on Monday against the tournament’s number four Roberto Carballés-Baena of Spain. Top seed at the Internazionali del Friuli Venezia Giulia is Serbian Laslo Djere. The World No. 104 will start his title bid against a qualifier.