MANERBIO, August 25, 2015
The favourites at the € 42,500 Manerbio ATP Challenger – Trofeo Dimmidisi – advanced to the second round on Tuesday.
Top-seed Daniel Muῆoz de la Nava opened his campaign, winning 6-3, 6-2 against Adrien Bossel. The world number 105 from Spain was untroubled, saved the only two break points he faced and capitalized on three of his own to advance after one hour and 17 minutes.
Muῆoz de la Nava will take on Daniel Brands in the second round. The 28-year-old from Germany cruised past Italian wild card Riccardo Sinicropi, winning 6-1, 6-3 in only 54 minutes.
Daniel Brands (photo: Felice Calabro)
Third seed Kenny de Schepper defeated Victor Hanescu, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. The world number 145 from France won 65% of his first service points and five of his ten break points to seal victory in one hour and 57 minutes.
De Schepper will face Pere Riba next. The 27-year-old Spaniard saved all four break points he faced to beat Italian wild card Lorenzo Sonego, winning 6-3, 6-2 in 69 minutes.
Christian Garin knocked out the tournament’s fourth favourite Carlos Berlocq from Argentina through a 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 victory. The only 19-year-old Chilean, who captured four ITF Future titles last year, hit three aces and converted seven of his 15 break points to prevail after two hours and 57 minutes. Garin will play Salvatore Caruso in the second round.
Andrej Martin (photo: Felice Calabro)
Fifth seed Andrej Martin defeated Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo, winning 6-4, 6-7, 6-1. The 25-year-old Slovakian fired seven aces, won 55% of his second service points and capitalized on six of his eight break point chances to reach the second round against Federico Gaio after two hours and eight minutes.
“It was a tough match with tough conditions today, as it was raining all night and the balls were heavy,” Martin told afterwards. “I was fighting and in command of the match leading 6-4, 5-1 but then Ruben started to play really well and I had some unlucky balls. Suddenly I lost the set. Then I tried to attack more, had some lucky balls in the beginning of the third set and I am happy to win the match.”
