ANTALYA, June 26, 2019
Pablo Carreno Busta, one of three former Top 10 players in the draw of the Turkish Airlines Open Antalya, secured his first match win on grass to reach the quarterfinals in Belek. The No. 4 seed from Spain defeated German qualifier Kevin Krawietz 7-6(6), 6-4 on Wednesday afternoon.
Carreno Busta saved four set points in the opening set and broke his opponent’s serve in the 10th game of the second set to prevail after one hour and 27 minutes.
“Finally I won a match on grass. I am very happy,” Carreno Busta told Tennis TourTalk afterwards. “I didn’t take advantage of my opportunities on the returns but I served well and I am pleased with my level of tennis. Conditions are tough here, although we were lucky today, playing the last match of the day when it was not too hot.”
The 27-year-old from Spain will next take on Bernard Tomic of Australia, who defeated Peter Gojowczyk of Germany 7-6(3), 6-3 in one hour and 11 minutes.
“This will be a different match tomorrrow,” Carreno Busta said. “Bernard plays from the baseline and feels comfortable on this surface. It will be very tough.”
Carreno Busta has arrived at the Turkish Riviera, competing in his first tournament since he retired in the third round at Roland Garros. “I had to take a rest after Paris but I feel good again and I will try to be ready for the next events.”
Paire falls and criticizes conditions
Earlier on another sunny and hot day, top seed Benoit Paire fell in his opening match to Serbian qualifier Viktor Troicki 7-6(4), 7-6(5). Troicki withstood 11 aces from the Frenchman, winning two more points than the World No. 32 to secure victory in one hour and 40 minutes.
“Those were some of the toughest conditions I’ve ever played in,” Troicki told ATPTour.com. “I’m very happy that I got through and managed to win in two sets. I also want to thank the crowd for showing up and supporting us. [The heat was] tough for the players and for the fans as well.”
Paire criticized the scheduling afterwards on twitter.
Inadmissible de la part de l’@ATP_Tour de nous laisser jouer dans des conditions pareilles!!! Début du match à 13h30 sous 45 degrés!!! Dangereux pour les joueurs, les 4 spectateurs, mon entraîneur et l’arbitre!!! #scandaleux #happytobealive 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— paire benoit (@benoitpaire) 26. Juni 2019
“Inadmissible on behalf of the ATP Tour to let us play in such conditions !!! Start of the match at 13:30 at 45 degrees!!! Dangerous for the players, the 4 spectators, my coach and the referee !!! #scandalous #happytobealive,” Paire tweeted.
Troicki will next take compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic, who knocked off No. 6 seeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert, winning 6-4, 7-5. The encounter lasted one hour and 25 minutes.
