PORTOROZ, August 13, 2019

It was not the best start for the local players at the Zavarovalnica Sava Slovenia Open on Monday, as all four players fell in the opening round in Portoroz.

Sven Lah lost to Aldin Setkic from Bosnia and Herzegovina 6-4, 6-3. The Baylor University student from Waco, United States took an early 2-0 lead, but lost his serve three times in the following. Setkic secured victory after one hour and 50 minutes.

“We played good tennis, but I couldn’t adapt to a good player like him,” Lah had to admit afterwards. “This is my second professional tournament and I hope to have another chance at this level. I have learned a lot and know that I will be able to use that experience in the future.”

Setkic will next take on Russian veteran Teymuraz Gabashvili, who fought past Edan Lesham from Israel 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 in one hour and 27 minutes.

Antoine Cornut-Chauvinc of France defeated Nik Razborsek of Slovenia 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. The 19-year-old Villeurbanne native won four points more than his opponent to prevail after two hours and 21 minutes.

“It’s really a pity. I’m disappointed, as I felt well prepared for the match,” Razborsek said.

Cornut-Chauvinc will next challenge No. 8 seeded Russian Roman Safiullin.

Slovenian wild card entries Mike Urbanija, who lost to Artem Dubrivnyy of Russia 6-3, 6-4, and Tom Kocevar-Desman, who lost to Miljan Zekic from Serbia in three sets, also fell in the first round.

Home hopes Aljaz Bedene, top seed of the €46,600 ATP Challenger hard-court event, and third favourite Blaz Rola, will step into action on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.