POZNAN, July 15, 2015
The bottom half of the € 42,500 ATP Challenger Poznan Open’s main draw was in action for the second round matches on Wednesday.
Two youngsters went head to head for the second time this season, when 20-year-old Adam Pavlasak, who was successful in the previous meeting in Rome, defeated Elias Ymer, winning 7-5, 6-4. The Swedish teenager ousted second seed Joao Souza on Monday, but didn’t find his rhythm against the Czech. Pavlasek won 67% of his first service points and capitalized on four of his eight break points opportunities to close the match after one and 34 minutes.
“It was a tough match, Ymer played well but I felt great and won,” Pavlasek said. “I do not have a particular goal what I want to achieve in Poznan. I simply concentrate on every ball during the matches.”
Elias Ymer (photo: Poznan Open)
Adam Pavlasek (photo: Poznan Open)
Pavlasek will face Pere Riba next. The Spaniard, who entered the tournament through protected ranking, beat sixth seed Matthias Bachinger, winning 6-2, 6-7, 6-4. Riba fired eight aces and already had the chance to finish the match in the tie-break of the second set, but missed two match points and eventually had to go the distance to seal victory in two hours and ten minutes. The former world number 67 from Barcelona, who dropped in the ATP rankings to 297th position, missed the first part of the season due to injury and advanced to his first quarterfinal in 2015.
“It was a difficult match,” told Riba. “Matthias is a good fighter. I tried my best but I did not see the chance for a quicker win. I am glad that I finally brought the match to a successful conclusion.”
Pere Riba also reached the doubles quarterfinals along with Inigo Cervantes (photo: Poznan Open)
Radu Albot defeated Belorussian qualifier Maxim Dubarenco, winning 6-3, 6-4. The world number 110 from Chisinau saved all eight break points he faced, capitalized on two of his own and prevailed after one hour and 38 minutes.
“For sure, this wasn’t an easy match,” Albot said. “But I expected a tough fight. I know Maxim for a long time and we practice together. He has a good service but eventually I was able to win. Of course, I think that I have the chance to win the tournament but firstly I have to focus on every match coming up.”
Radu Albot (photo: Poznan Open)
Albot will play Pedja Krstin for the first time. The 20-year-old Serbian advanced to his second quarterfinals on the ATP Challenger Tour this season, winning 7-6, 2-6, 7-5 against Jason Kubler. Krstin withstood ten aces and saved fifteen of twenty break points and prevailed after two hours and 25 minutes.
“I really feel tired now,” Krstin told with a smile. “We had three sets with long rallies. I will have a massage now and will enjoy my free day tomorrow having some rest. So I will be ready for the next match.”
Pedja Krstin (photo: Poznan Open)
