MANERBIO, August 8, 2019

Lorenzo Giustino opened his title bid at the Internazionali di Manerbio Trofeo “Dimmidisi” with a three-set win on Wednesday afternoon. The No. 2 seed from Italy fought past Martin Cuevas of Uruguay 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-3.

Giustino sent down six aces, winning 74 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after two hours and 28 minutes.

“Cuevas has talent, he plays well but still has many highs and lows in his game. His serve is very good, there were some moments in which I could not touch the ball,” Giustine said. “It was also difficult from a mental point of view. There were moments in which he played his best tennis, others in which he complained, spoke, threw the racket, discussed … then suddenly he started to play well again.”

The 27-year-old Naples native is based in Spain. “For some years I’ve been living in Barcelona with my girlfriend. After years at the Bruguera academy, I started working with Pere Riba and Eduardo Lopez, but I also continue to work with Gianluca Carbone,” stated Giustino, who will take on No. 13 seed Pavel Kotov in the third round. The Russian finished runner-up to Nicola Kuhn at the Open Castilla y Leon Villa De El Espinar Segovia last Sunday and continued his good run of form with a 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 second-round win over Viktor Durasovic of Norway in Manerbio.

On Campo 3, Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia knocked out No. 3 seed Kimmer Coppejans of Belgium. The World No. 425 capitalized on seven of his 16 break point opportunities to seal a 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 victory in two hours and 42 minutes. Gabashvili will next take on No. 14 seed Evan King from the United States.

No. 5 seed Federico Gaio also booked his spot in the third round. The 27-year-old Italian rallied from a set down to overcome French qualifier Fabien Reboul 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) after two hours and 26 minutes. Up next for Gaio will be Croatian youngster Nino Serdarusic.