TODI, July 8, 2015

The Internazionali di Tennis dell‘Umbria’s top favourite Aljaz Bedene opened his Todi campaign with a 7-6, 6-2 victory over Gerald Melzer. The 25-year-old Brit, who is playing his first clay court event since the French Open in May, fired nine aces and won 88% of his first service points to seal victory in one hour and 45 minutes.

Aljaz Bedene is back on the clay (photo: Marta Magni)

Bedene will face Andreas Beck next. The 29-year-old German won 70% of his first service points to beat Federico Gaio 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 26 minutes.

Fourth seed Lucas Pouille defeated Lorenzo Giustino, winning 6-3, 6-1. The 21-year-old Frenchman hit six aces to seal victory in one hour and 19 minutes.

Lucas Pouille (photo: Marta Magni)

Pouille will play Matteo Donati in the second round, who overcame Renzo Olivo after two hours and 11 eleven minutes in three sets 2-6, 7-6, 6-3.

Andrej Martin, champion of last week’s ATP Challenger in Padova, knocked out the tournament’s number five Kimmer Coppejans, winning 7-5, 6-1. The 25-year-old Slovakian won 71% of his first service points to meet Andrea Arnaboldi in the second round. The Italian wild card beat Victor Hanescu 1-6, 6-2, 6-2 after one hour and 38 minutes.

Andrej Martin (photo: Marta Magni)

Padova’s runner-up Albert Montaῆes defeated Laslo Djere, winning 6-4, 6-1. The world number 126 from Catalonia won 88% of his second service points to face Nicolas Kicker, who beat Dusan Lajovic on Tuesday.

Peter Gojowczyk still has to wait for his first match win since Chennai in January. The 25-year-old German had to undergo surgery at his left foot after the Australian Open and is still on his comeback trail. Gojowczyk lost to Germain Gigounon 4-6, 1-6 in one hour and 14 minutes.

French qualifier Stephane Robert saved five of his six break points he faced to defeat Jozef Kovalik 6-4, 6-2, playing Gianluca Mager next.