NAPOLI, April 5, 2016
The top-seeds of the €42,500 ATP Challenger Capri Watch Cup were in first round action on Tuesday in Napoli when first favourite Filip Krajinovic rallied back 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to beat German qualifier Julian Reister. The world number 107 from Serbia converted eight of his 13 break points to prevail in two hours and 10 minutes. Krajinovic will face Arthur de Greef next, who dismissed Luca Vanni 7-5, 6-4.
Second seed Rogerio Dutra Silva opened his title bid with a comfortable 6-1, 6-0 victory against Andrey Golubev. The 32-year-old from Brazil saved the only break point he faced, winning 82% of his first service points to advance in 60 minutes. Dutra Silva will play Jozef Kovalik next, who beat Marton Fucsovics 6-3, 6-0.
Fourth seed Thomas Fabbiano, who has cracked the top 100 for the first time and is currently ranked on 98th position lost his opening match to Uladzimir Ignatik 4-6, 7-6, 5-7 in two hours and 30 minutes. Fabbiano captured the Challenger title in Zhuhai last month and played his first clay court match of the season.
“It was a battle today. Thanks to the crowd for the great support,” Fabbiano said afterwards. “I am proud to be part of the top 100 but now I need to continue on my path. There are also a couple of other young Italians, who are able to get into the top 100.”
Ignatik set a second round meeting with Adrian Ungur, who dismissed Alexandre Sidorenko, last Sunday’s champion in St. Brieuc.
Italian veteran Filippo Volandri, who is playing his only third tournament of the season, knocked out seventh seed Andrej Martin, winning 6-1, 6-3. The world number 212 from Livorno capitalized on five of his six break point chances to finish the encounter after only 58 minutes. Volandri will take on fellow countryman Gianluca Naso next, who ended the winning streak of Russian qualifier Alexey Vatutin.
“I felt good today and I really like to play here,” Volandri told. “It was not easy, as I haven’t played that much so far this season. I need to find my rhythm and then let’s see how far I can get this week.”
