VICENZA, May 24, 2015
The tenth edition of the ATP Challenger „Città di Vicenza” is starting this weekend organized by the Tennis Palladio 98. The tournament’s prize money is a total of € 42,500.
After a wash-out on Saturday, the first round of the qualifying eventually took place on Sunday. Flavio Cipolla had to save a match point in the ninth game of the final set to finally overcome Mitchell Krueger, winning 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in two hours and seven minutes.
Flavio Cipolla
Two seeded players were in action. The qualification’s seventh favourite Oriol Roca Batalla withstood seven aces to defeat Edoardo Eremin 6-4, 6-4 in 70 minutes. Eighth-seed Lamine Ouahab, who lost in the qualifying in Roland Garros to Alejandro Falla, was knocked out by Jose Pereira. The 24-year-old Brazilian capitalized on seven of his 13 break points, winning 7-5, 6-0 in 64 minutes.
Lamine Ouahab
Jose Pereira
The first six-seeds of the qualifying received a bye and will step into action on Monday. Number one seed is German Peter Gojowzcyk, who will take on Juan Ignacio Londero from Argentina, who beat Gregoire Barrere 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in the opening round.
Second seed Nicolas Jarry will face Luca Giacomini. The Italian wild card defeated Roberto Maytin winning 6-4, 6-3. Russian teenager Andrej Rublev has also go through the qualifying. The 17-year-old from Moscow, who reached the second round at the ATP 250 even in Geneva last week, is facing Nikola Mektic. The Croat advanced to second round, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 against Sergio Galdos.
One encounter of the main draw is also scheduled for Monday. Third seed James Ward will take on local hero Filippo Volandri in the final match on centre court. Vicenza’s number one favourite is world number 96 Facundo Bagnis, the only top 100 player in the tournament. The Argentine will face Italian wild card Salvatore Caruso in the first round. Slovakian Norbert Gombos, currently ranked on career high 105th position is the second seed taking on Pere Riba in his opening match.
ATP Challenger Vicenza
