RA’ANANA, March 30, 2016

First round matches concluded on Wednesday at the second edition of the $125,000 Israel Open held in Ra’anana. Second seed Dudi Sela started his title bid, gaining a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 victory over fellow Isreali Tal Goldengoren. The local hero and world number 84 lost his service one time but capitalized on five of his own six chances to advance in only 50 minutes. Sela will take on Blaz Rola next, who cruised past Aleksandre Metreveli 6-1, 6-4 in 55 minutes.

Italian qualifier Gianluigi Quinzi caused the upset of the day, knocking out fourth favourite Lukas Lacko 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. The 2013 Wimbledon junior champion withstood nine aces, hitting five of his own to finish the encounter after one hour and 54 minutes. Quinzi will play Ti Chen next. The 32-year-old from Taiwan defeated Czech veteran Jan Mertl 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 in two hours and 52 minutes.

Fifth seed Thomas Fabbiano, who captured his first ATP Challenger title this season in Zhuhai three weeks ago, beat Israeli wild card Dekel Bar 6-0, 7-5. The world number 110 from Italy won 85% of his first service points and lost his serve only once, converting three of his own break chances to advance after 63 minutes. Fabbiano will take on fellow countryman Roberto Marcora in the second round. The 26-year-old qualifier defeated Alexis Musialek 6-3, 6-1 in one hour and nine minutes.

The tournament’s number seven Marsel Ilhan ousted Yannick Jankovits 7-6, 6-3. The world number 137 from Turkey sent down six aces and won 67% of his first service points to close the encounter after one hour and 25 minutes. Ilhan will face Amir Weintraub next. The 29-year-old emerged victorious from the all-Israeli-affair with Edan Leshem, rallying 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. Weintraub won 86 of the total 156 points to prevail in one hour and 38 minutes.