EL PRAT DE LLOBREGAT, October 10, 2018

Roberto Carballés Baena of Spain opened his title bid at the inaugural Sánchez-Casal Mapfre with a straight sets victory on Wednesday. The top seed of the €43,000 ATP Challenger clay-court event eased past Italian qualifier Roberto Marcora 6-2, 6-1.

Carballés Baena capitalized on six of his seven break point opportunities to advance in only 62 minutes. “I am very pleased with my performance, as I didn’t make many mistakes. It’s a good start into the tournament,” the World No. 90 from Tenerife said. Carballés Baena will next take on Johan Tatlot from France, who beat Russian teenager Bekkhan Atlangeriev 6-1, 6-3.

No. 2 seed Pablo Andújar retired in his first round match against fellow Spaniard Nicola Kuhn. The youngster, who entered the main draw with a wild card, was leading 6-2 when Andújar was forced to stop playing.

“Victory, not the way I wished, against Andújar in BCN. A great first set and working for tomorrow’s match!” Kuhn tweeted afterwards. Up next will be Lorenzo Giustino of Italy, who defeated Jordi Samper-Montana 6-4, 6-4.

Marco Trungelliti is through to the second round. The No. 3 seed from Argentina edged past Joao Domingues from Portugal 7-5, 6-2. Trungelliti won 55 per cent of the total points played to seal victory in one hour and 26 minutes. The World No. 129 will next face French qualifier Tak Khunn Wang.