ECKENTAL, October 31, 2018

Ruben Bemelmans won the battle of two former Eckental Challenger champions on Tuesday evening. The Belgian winner from 2014 rallied past Daniel Brands of Germany, who was victorious at the House of Sports twice in 2009 and 2012, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Bemelmans converted two of his 10 break point chances, winning 54 per cent of the total points played to prevail after one hour and 41 minutes. The World No. 129 from Belgium will next take on Oscar Otte. The 25-year-old German eased past compatriot and wild card entry Louis Weßels 6-3, 6-1.

Earier in the afternoon, Albano Olivetti knocked off No. 6 seed Marcos Baghdatis from Cyprus 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3. The big-serving French qualifier fired 22 aces to secure victory in two hours and 17 minutes. Next up for Olivetti will be either lucky loser Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan or Andrej Martin from Slovakia.

The tournament’s No. 5 also fell in the opening round of the €43,000 ATP Challenger event, as Yannick Maden from Germany lost to Antoine Hong of France 6-3, 7-6(3) in one hour and 36 minutes. Hong awaits the winner of the encounter between Roberto Marcora of Italy and Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky.