GIJON/STARNBERG, October 12, 2022

Pablo Carreno Busta began his home campaign at the Gijon Open with an emotional second-round win in straight sets. The 31-year-old Spaniard, who was born in the city of Gijon and played his first tour-level match here, defeated Thiago Monteiro from Brazil 6-4, 7-6(3) on Wednesday evening.

In front of an enthusiastic crowd inside the Palacio de Deportes de la Guia on Fiesta Nacional de España, Spain’s National Day, Carreno Busta was in control during most of the rallies but looked a bit nervy towards the end of the second set. The No. 2 seed of the ATP 250 hard-court event couldn’t serve the match out in the 10th game and had to secure victory in the tie-break after one hour and 52 minutes.

¡Como en casa, en ningún sitio! ¡ESPECTACULAR, PABLO! ¡ESPECTACULAR, GIJÓN!💪🏻❤️#GijonOpen

📽️ @TennisTV @atptour pic.twitter.com/nSQeCdVYst

— #GijonOpen (@GijonOpen) October 12, 2022

“It’s always tough to close out a match,” said Carreno Busta. “The beginning of the match was important, as I was nervous playing at home. It’s the first match of the tournament. I needed to be very focused but it was good. At the end of the match I had some problems, but that’s okay. It’s very special. For the Spanish players it is very comfortable to play at home.”

Carreno Busta, a seven-time champion on the ATP Tour, will next take on Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, who beat his compatriot Constant Lestienne 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 37 minutes.

In other second-round action, Tommy Paul edged past Spanish qualifier Nicolas Alvarez Varona 6-3, 7-6(3). The No. 5 seed from the United States converted four of his seven break-point opportunities to prevail after one hour and 52 minutes.

Paul awaits the winner of the encounter between top seed Andrey Rublev of Russia and Ilya Ivashka from Belarus in the quarterfinals.