STARNBERG, February 6, 2018
Two #NextGenATP players celebrated their first match wins on the ATP World Tour this week. Carlos Taberner, who qualified for his first main draw at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, defeated Slovakian qualifier Norbert Gombos 7-6(5), 7-6(1) in the opening round on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old Spaniard, who practices at the Lozano Altur Tennis Academy in Valencia, sent down eight aces, winning 75 per cent of his first service points to secure victory in one hour and 53 minutes. Taberner, currently ranked World No. 190, won three ITF Pro Circuit titles and finished runner-up at the ATP Challenger events in Banja Luka and Sibiu last year.
Moutet Into Second Round In Quito
On Monday, 18-year-old Corentin Moutet fought past Adrian Menendez-Maceiras of Spain 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 on the red clay of the Ecuador Open in Quito. In a very emotional mathc, the French wildcard entry capitalized on five of his 15 break point chances to advance to the second round of an ATP World Tour event for the first time after two hours and 36 minutes.
Moutet (🎥@TennisTV ) pic.twitter.com/W2ImczSFzR
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) 5. Februar 2018
Moutet had clinched five ITF Pro Circuit titles before he made the breakthrough at ATP Challenger level, lifting his first trophy in Brest in November last year when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
“This confidence I gained here will help me in the future but this is not the end. I hope this victory will be a springboard for me,” the teenager commented after the final.
In January 2018, the current World No. 152 made his debut in a Grand Slam singles main draw at the Australian Open. As a wildcard entry, he faced Italian veteran Andreas Seppi in the first round. Despite winning the first set, Moutet was unable to prevail, falling 6-3 4-6 2-6 2-6.
