LISBON, May 16, 2019
Steve Darcis headlined Wednesday’s second round action of the Lisboa Belém Open. The 35-year-old Belgian knocked out the No. 1 seed of the €46,600 ATP Challenger clay-court event Adrian Mannarino of France, winning 5-7, 6-0, 6-1.
Darcis, who broke a four-match losing streak against Spanish qualifier Nicola Kuhn in the opening round, capitalized on seven of his 15 break point chances to prevail after one hour and 52 minutes. The former World No. 38 will next take ITF-entry Sandro Ehrat. The 28-year-old Swiss defeated No. 13 seeded US-American Mitchell Krueger 6-4, 7-6(2).
What. A. Comeback. Former top 50 Steve Darcis defeats first seed and World No. 50 Adrian Mannarino 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 to reach the third round here in Lisboa.#LisboaBelémOpen | @ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/6fEwirxXyB
— Lisboa Belém Open (@LisboaBelemOpen) 15. Mai 2019
Portuguese players fall
Local favourites Joao Domingues and Frederico Ferreira Silva lost in the second round. Mario Vilella Martínez of Spain took out No. 15 seed Domingues, winning 6-3, 6-4. The 23-year-old from Elche won 56 per cent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 21 minutes.
“It has been very intense weeks with a lot of matches,” said Domingues, who captured the Braga Open title last week. “I would not have played the tournament, if it took place anywhere else. I was not at 100 per cent mentally and physically, but it’s always good to play at home and I did not want to skip the week.”
Pedro Martínez defeated wild card entry Ferreira Silva 6-3, 6-4. The seventh seed from Spain broke the Portuguese’s serve four times to seal victory in one hour and 39 minutes.
Sousa withdraw with injury
Pedro Sousa
Earlier in the day, No. 4 seed Pedro Sousa announced his withdrawal from the tournament due to a left ankle injury.
“Unfortunately I am not able to compete. It was not an easy decision, but I do not want to risk anything in order to be ready for Roland Garros. At the beginning of the year I had already twisted my foot even more severely, so I need to be careful,” Sousa said.
The 30-year-old Portuguese was replaced by compatriot Luis Faria, who lost to Italian Roberto Marcora 6-1, 6-2 in only 53 minutes.
