Panamá Defending Champion Dutra Silva Falls In Opening Round

Defending champion Rogerio Dutra Silva lost in the opening round – photo: Panama

PANAMÁ CITY, April 4, 2018

All four qualifiers survived the opening round of the $50,000 Visit Panamá Tennis Cup at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento Fred Maduro. Evan Song from the United States knocked out two-time champion and No. 2 seed Rogerio Dutra Silva on Tuesday, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

The 25-year-old US-American, who is currently ranked on a career high World No. 448, won three points more than his opponent to prevail after two hours and 27 minutes. Next up for Song will be Andrea Collarini from Argentina.

Cristian Rodriguez fought past Dominik Köpfer of Germany 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The 27-year-old qualifier from Colombia capitalized on three of his 13 break point chances to seal victory in two hours and 14 minutes. Rodriguez will next challenge No. 6 seed Renzo Olivo of Argentina.

Peter Torebko defeated US-American teenager Sebastian Korda, who entered the main draw with a wild card,  6-2, 7-6. The 30-year-old qualifier from Germany sent down five aces, winning 72 per cent of his first service points to advance in one hour and 40 minutes. Torebko will next face 2014 runner-up Blaz Rola.

Juan Ignacio Londero completed the quartet of qualifiers reaching the second round. The 24-year-old Argentine eased past unranked and local wild card entry José Gibert Gómez 6-2, 6-1. Londero converted all of his six break points to finish the encounter in only 47 minutes. He will next play Ante Pavic of Croatia.