ORTISEI, October 8, 2017

Local favourite Erwin Troebinger advanced to the final round of the qualifying at the €64,000 Sparkasse Challenger Val Gardena on Sunday. The 21-year-old Italian wild card entry fought past David Vega Hernandez of Spain 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.

Troebinger sent down six aces, winning 64 per cent of his first service points to prevail in one hour and 42 minutes. He will take on compatriot and second seed Matteo Viola for a spot in the main draw. Viola rallied past Laurent Lokoli of France 3-6, 6-0, 6-3. The encounter lasted one hour and 48 minutes.

Top seed Andrea Arnaboldi also came back from a set down to overcome Tom Kocevar-Desman of Slovenia 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. The World No. 216 from Milan fired 14 aces and broke serve five times to secure victory in one hour and 17 minutes. Arnaboldi will next face Germany’s Tim Puetz.

Edan Lesham from Israel will face Marc Sieber of Germany and Frenchman Albano Olivetti will play Kevin Krawietz in the final round of the qualifying. Main draw will also start on Monday.