SAN BENEDETTO, July 14, 2015
It was a pretty successful Day 2 for the Italian players at the ATP Challenger in San Benedetto. The locals defeated two of the event’s top three favourites.
The tournament’s top seed Daniel Gimeno-Traver, who was granted a wild card, crashed out losing to Salvatore Caruso 2-6, 2-6. The 22-year-old Italian was in command of the match right from the beginning, won 70% of his first service points celebrating his first Challenger main draw match win since April in Vercelli. Caruso finished the match after one hour and 23 minutes to take on fellow countryman Lorenzo Giustino. The 23-year-old qualifier won the all-Italian-battle with Roberto Marcora 6-4, 2-6, 6-0 in two hours and five minutes.
“It was a good match for me, although I didn’t have a great start,” told Caruso afterwards. “I am very happy. This is my first victory against a top 100-player. I want to thank my coach Paolo, who always supports me and my family.”
Another Italian was also successful when Filippo Volandri took out third seed Benoit Paire. The Italian veteran led 1-6, 6-2, 2-0 when the Frenchman was forced to retire due to physical problems. Volandri will play Andreas Beck next. The 29-year-old German defeated Federico Gaio, winning two tie-breaks in two hours and four minutes.
Fourth seed Damir Dzumhur had no problems beating Thomas Fabbiano 6-2, 6-3. The world number 100 from Bosnia-Herzegovina only had to save one break point and capitalized on three of his own to close the match after 67 minutes taking on Maxime Hamou next.
Sixth seed Blaz Rola lost to Alessandro Giannessi 3-6, 3-6. The 25-year-old Italian saved he only break point he faced and won 75% of his first service points to seal victory in one hour and 14 minutes to meet qualifier Michael Linzer next. The 25-year-old won the all-Austrian-affair with Gerald Melzer 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 32 minutes.
“I have a lot of confidence at the moment and I was able to take advantage of my opportunities,” Giannessi told. “Here in San Benedetto I feel good, as there are so many people watching the matches and we can also enjoy the sea. That’s wonderful. Now against Linzer, which will also be a very even match. I will try to impose my rhythm on him.”
Paolo Lorenzi advanced to second round, beating Antonio Veic 6-3, 7-5. The 33-year-old Rome native capitalized on five of his seven break points, converting his fourth match point after one hour and 47 minutes. Lorenzi will meet Peter Gojowczik next. Yesterday, the Germany beat Mohamed Safwat after two hours and 47 minutes, the longest match of the tournament so far.
