COMO, August 30, 2017

Defending champion Kenny de Schepper headlined Wednesday’s second round action at the €43,000 Torneo Città di Como – Trofeo “Intensa SanPaolo”. The eighth seed from France defeated Spanish veteran and former World No. 5 Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-3.

De Schepper was solid on his serve, winning 83 per cent of his first service points and converted all of his four break point chances to secure victory in 69 minutes. De Schepper will next take on Pedro Sousa. The tournament’s number four from Portugal rallied from a set down to overcome Italian Andrea Arnaboldi 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. The encounter lasted two hours and seven minutes.

Top seed Marco Cecchinato eased past fellow Italian and wild card entry Riccardo Balzerani 6-2, 6-0. The World No. 102, who finished runner-up last year in Como, finished the encounter in only 51 minutes.

Next up for Cecchinato will be Oscar Otte. The seventh favourite from Germany advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 win over compatriot Jeremy Jahn. Otte fired nine aces and won 51 per cent of the total points played to prevail after one hour and 54 minutes.