SAN BENEDETTO, July 13, 2015

Three long matches opened the first round of the € 64,000 ATP Challenger in San Benedetto on Monday evening.

Peter Gojowczyk opened his Italian campaign on centre court beating Mohamed Safwat 3-6, 7-5, 7-6. In the day’s longest encounter, the 25-year-old German lost his service six times and could only convert five of his own 18 break point opportunities, but hit five aces as well as won 65% of his first service points to prevail after two hours and 47 minutes.

Under the floodlights, Maxime Hanou celebrated an unexpected victory over Roberto Carballés-Baena, rallying back from a set down to win 1-6, 7-6, 7-6. The 20-year-old Frenchman was more solid in the decisive moments, hit the better shots in the tie-breaks to close the match out after two hours and 31 minutes.

In the final encounter, Christian Lindell beat Italian wild card Stefano Napolitano, winning 6-4, 2-6, 4-6. The 23-year-old Swede, who was born in Rio de Janeiro, saved five of the seven break points he faced and capitalized on four of his own to seal victory in exactly two hours of play. The match ended at 1:35 am.