STOCKTON, October 3, 2017

The ATP Challenger Tour has returned to the Californian city of Stockton for the second edition of the $1000,000 Stockton Challenger, held at the Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center on the campus of University of the Pacific this week.

Fourth seed Stefan Kozlov opened his title bid with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Canadian Braydan Schnur. The 19-yaer-old US-American won 72 per cent of his first service points and broke serve five times to advance to the second round after one hour and 10 minutes. Kozlov will next take on the winner of the encounter between Denis Kudla from the United States and German qualifier Jan Choinski.

Noah Rubin eased past wild card entry Akram El Sallaly of Egypt 6-2, 6-3. The 21-year-old from the United States saved both break points he faced, converting four of his own to secure victory in 64 minutes. Next up for Rubin will be Darian King from Barbados. The sixth seed beat Alexander Ward of Great Britain 7-5, 7-6 in one hour and 39 minutes.