ZADAR/STARNBERG, March 24, 2022

Czech young gun Dalibor Svrcina caused the upset of the day in Thursday’s second-round matches of the Falkensteiner Punta Skala – Zadar Open. The 19-year-old from Ostrava knocked out World No. 128 Andrej Martin of Slovakia, No. 3 seed of the €45,730 ATP Challenger clay-court tournament.

Svrcina overcame a slow start, capitalized on eight of his 11 break-point chances to secure a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and two minutes. The World No. 271, champion of the 2018 Australian Open Boys’ doubles title alongside Jonas Forojtek, will take on Polish qualifier Daniel Michalski in the quarterfinals. The 22-year-old Warsaw native defeated Nerman Fatic of Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-5, 6-1 in one hour and 40 minutes.

In the bottom half of the draw, Manuel Guinard continued his fine run of form by reaching the stage of the last eight in Croatia. The No. 8 seed arrived in Zadar fresh from his maiden Challenger triumph in Roseto degli Abruzzi in Italy last Sunday, and beat Serbian qualifier Miljan Zekic 6-3, 6-4. Guinard was in control of the encounter, won 55 per cent of the total points played to prevail after one hour and 29 minutes.

The World No. 161 will next face Andrea Vavassori. The 26-year-old Italian eased past 18-year-old Serbian wild card entry Hamad Medjedovic 6-1, 6-4. The match lasted one hour and 30 minutes.