ORTISEI/STARNBERG, October 28, 2022
Andrea Vavassori headlined Friday’s quarterfinal action at the Sparkasse Challenger Val Gardena Südtirol by knocking out the tournament’s top seed Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The 27-year-old Italian, who is still seeking his first triumph on the ATP Challenger Tour, withstood six aces and broke his rival’s serve two times to prevail after one hour and 43 minutes.
“It was a big fight today. He served very precisely in the first set. I had trouble. Then I had to raise my level on the first serve, as I was only at 40 percent in the first set,” said Vavassori. “I remained aggressive and I am very pleased with the victory.”
The World No. 197, will next play Lukas Klein from Slovakia, who upset third-seeded Italian Luca Nardi 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 in one hour and 27 minutes.
Into his 5th #ATPChallenger semifinal of the year 🙌
🇸🇰 Lukas Klein gets past Nardi 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 to advance in Ortisei!
📸R.Strimmer/ChallengerOrtisei pic.twitter.com/qy8ZCOEUeV
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 28, 2022
In the bottom half of the draw, home favourite Flavio Cobolli fought past Czech veteran Lukas Rosol 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-2 in two hours and 16 minutes. The 20-year-old Florence native fired 14 aces and won 80 per cent of his first-service points to succeed in two hours and 16 minutes.
“It was a really complicated match, the rhythm was very high and also very exhausting on the fast surface. I have to make sure I recover for tomorrow,” said Cobolli, who will next take on Borna Gojo of Croatia, a 7-5, 6-2 winner over Giulio Zeppieri of Italy. The encounter lasted 65 minutes.
