BASTAD, July 17, 2018

With Fernando Verdasco and David Ferrer, two Spanish seeds at the SkiStar Swedish Open advanced to the second round of the ATP 250 clay-court event on Tuesday.

Verdasco, who has reached the Bastad quarterfinals or better seven times, highlighted by runner-up finishes in 2013 and 2016, fought past Lorenzo Sonego of Italy 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. The tournament’s No. 5 saved three of the four break points he faced, converting three of his seven own chances to prevail after two hours and three minutes. Verdasco will next take on Pedro Sousa of Portugal.

Three-time Bastad champion Ferrer defeated Czech qualifier Zdenek Kolar 6-2, 7-5. The 36-year-old from Javéa won 55 per cent of the total points played to finish the encounter in one hour and 31 minutes. Next up for Ferrer will #NextGenATP Norwegian Casper Ruud.

Mixed feelings for Ymer Bros.

Swedish wild card entry Mikael Ymer outpointed Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 67-48 to celebrate a 6-3, 6-3 triumph. But brother Elias Ymer could not join him in the second round, as Brazilian Thiago Monteiro scored a 6-4, 6-2 win over the 22-year-old Swede after 73 minutes.

“I played very solid,” said Mikael Ymer. “Thinking about the circumstances, playing at home and really wanting the win, I played pretty well. It is never easy. You want to win more than anything… For a first round, it is a very positive win.”

Photo Gallery (by Brigitte Urban):