AIX-EN-PROVENCE, May 9, 2019
Benjamin Hassan continues his strong run of form this week at the Open Pays D’Aix Cepax by beating former World No. 12 Viktor Troicki of Serbia 6-2, 6-2 to reach his first quarterfinal at ATP Challenger level.
The 24-year-old German advanced to the third round of the €137,560 clay-court event at the Country Club Aixois with wins over Spanish veteran Daniel Gimeno Traver and No. 4 seed Denis Istomin. On Thursday against Trocki, Hassan capitalized on five of his 13 break point chances to seal victory in one hour and 11 minutes. Next up for the World No. 370 will be Alexey Vatutin of Russia, who fought past Frenchman Antoine Hoang 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1.
Challenger life in Aix 😍@OpenduPaysdAix 🇨🇵 pic.twitter.com/Gs0vpv8Ykm
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) 9. Mai 2019
Hassan will be joined by compatriot Daniel Masur in the quarterfinals. The 24-year-old from Munich knocked off No. 3 seed Lloyd Harris from South Africa, winning 6-4, 6-3. Masur outpointed his opponent 74-57 to prevail after one hour and 22 minutes. He will next take on Hugo Nys from Monaco, who upset No. 5 seeded Brazilian Thiago Monteiro, rallying 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(3). The encounter lasted two hours and 24 minutes.
Pablo Cuevas, last week’s runner-up of the Estoril Open and now top seed in Southern France, also booked his spot in the stage of the final eight. The World No. 51 from Uruguay defeaeted German teenager Rudolf Molleker 6-2, 6-2 in 61 minutes to set up a meeting with Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer.
