RENNES/STARNBERG, September 15, 2022
The top three seeds of the Open Blot Rennes were in action on Wednesday led by No. 1 seed Hugo Gaston, who booked his place in the quarterfinals of the €67,960 ATP Challenger Tour hard-court event with a hard-fought 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win over fellow Frenchman and wild card entry Gabriel Debru.
The World No. 72 withstood six aces broke the 16-year-old’s serve seven times to secure victory in almost two hours of play.
“I feel relieved, it was a very complicated match against Gabriel,” said Gaston. “I knew he is a very good player. I didn’t play a very good match. I could have finished it in straight sets. But I was able to come back, I’m happy. I don’t put any pressure on myself as the number 1 seed. I play my best from start to finish. There are good sequences, which should last a little longer. I hope it will be better next match.”
Gaston will next take on either Clement Tabur or seventh favourite Benoit Paire. The latter delighted his home crowd inside a packed Le Liberté with an entertaining 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-5 first-round win over fellow Frenchman Dan Added in two hours and 24 minutes.
Hats off to the Trick Shot King 👑
Only @benoitpaire could leave us this entertained 😅 #ATPChallenger | @OpenBlotRennes pic.twitter.com/F8vwTIhtPK
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 14, 2022
Third-seeded Frenchman Hugo Grenier started his home campaign with a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 first-round win over French qualifier Maxime Mora. The 26-year-old from Montbrison won 63 per cent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 17 minutes. Grenier will next play Adrian Andreev from Bulgaria.
In the bottom half of the draw, No. 2 seed Peter Gojowczyk from Germany opened his title bid with a 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 first-round victory over 2012 champion Kenny de Schepper from France. Gojowcyzk saved all three break points he faced and capitalized on all of his own three break-point chances to succeed in one hour and 48 minutes. The World No. 172 from Munich will next face his compatriot Daniel Masur.
