FÜRTH, June 02, 2015

The two top-seeds advanced to second round on Day 1 of the main draw at the Franken Challenge in Fürth.

The tournament’s favourite Albert Ramos-Vinolas remained untroubled in his opening round match against Germain Gigounon, leading 6-2, 2-1 before the Belgian was forced to retire after 50 minutes due to hip injury.

Second seed Blaz Rola had to come back from a set down against Vincent Millot, winning 2-6, 7-5, 6-4. The Slovenian capitalized on 4 of his 16 break points to seal victory in two hours and 17 minutes facing Maximilian Marterer in the second round. The 19-year-old wild card beat Andreas Beck in an all-German-affair, winning 7-5, 6-1 in 66 minutes.

Maximilian Marterer advanced to second round in Fürth (photo: Franken Challenge)

Third seed Kimmer Coppejans was knocked out by German qualifier Kevin Krawietz, losing 4-6, 6-1, 5-7 in two hours and one minute.

Defending champion Tobias Kamke, the tournament’s fourth favourite, lost his opening match against Christian Lindell. The 23-year-old Swede won 60% of his first service points to prevail after two hours and 19 minutes. Lindell will face Albert Montanes in the second round, who defeated German wild card Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-1 in only 56 minutes.

Another Swedish player was also successful when only 19-year-old Elias Ymer beat Peter Gojowczyk, winning 6-1, 6-4 in one hour and 21 minutes.

Last week’s finalist from the ATP Challenger in Vicenza, John Millman, had to retire after losing the opening set to Italian Lorenzo Giustino 4-6 due to shoulder injury.

Vicenza’s champion, Inigo Cervantes continued his winning streak on the ATP Challenger Tour. The 25-year-old Spaniard, also last year’s runner up in Fürth, took out sixth seed Thiemo de Bakker. Cervantes had to save two break points and capitalized on seven of his eleven own opportunities to seal victory in 66 minutes, winning 6-0, 6-3.