ROME, October 2, 2015
Four of top five advanced to the semi-finals on Friday at the BFD Energy Challenger in Rome.
Due to rain on Thursday, the remaining four second round matches had to be played before the quarterfinals took place. Top-seed Federico Delbonis had the advantage of only playing one match, beating Albert Montaῆes 7-5, 6-1. The eighth seeded Spaniard rallied back from a set and a break down in his second round match against fellow countryman Javier Martí and seemed to run a bit out of steam against the Argentine, who fired six aces and won five of his seven break points to seal victory in 61 minutes.
In the round of the final four Delbonis will take on third seed Dusan Lajovic. The 25-year-old Serbian defeated Matteo Viola in the morning in straight sets and overcame Pere Riba, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 later the day. Lajovic won 73% of his first service points to close the encounter after two hours and 12 minutes.
The tournament’s number four Marco Cecchinato knocked out with Inigo Cervantes the remaining Spaniard in the draw. The world number 103 from Italy saved the only two break points he faced and converted three of his own to prevail in 70 minutes.
Cecchinato will take on Filip Krajinovic in the semi-finals. The fifth seeded Serbian withstood seven aces from Thiemo de Bakker, winning 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and 12 minutes.