MASPALOMAS, November 28, 2023
The top two seeds of the EÓ Hotels Maspalomas Challenger both opened their title bid with comfortable first-round wins. On a sunny Tuesday in southern Gran Canaria, home favourite Pedro Martinez defeated Nicholas David Ionel of Romania 6-1, 6-2 on Centre Court.
The World No. 117 from Valencia, who lives in Andorra, was in total control of the match right from the beginning, breaking his opponent’s serve four times to advance in one hour and 22 minutes.
“I am in good shape and I feel like at home in Gran Canaria, as my parents live here in Las Palmas,” Martinez told Tennis TourTalk afterwards. The 26-year-old has experienced some turbulent days after becoming a father for the first time last week.
“I had to leave the tournament in Valencia after the first round. The birth of my son was the most emotional thing in my life. It was a bit challenging coming here but it’s okay, as it is the last tournament of the season and I hope to spend some good time with my kid after this week.”
So, the young family will stay in touch, using FaceTime calls during this week. “I am talking to my girl-friend four or five times per day. This has never happened before,” Martinez added with a smile.
Martinez will next play 18-year-old Lithuanian qualifier Vilius Gaubas, who rallied past Spaniard Carlos Lopez Montagud 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-4 in two hours and 46 minutes.
Nagal in cruise mode
Earlier in the day, Sumit Nagal eased past Alejandro Moro Canas of Spain 6-0, 6-2. The second-seeded Indian, who practices at the Nensel Tennis Academy in Germany, didn’t face a break point and capitalized on all of his own five break-point chances to succeed in one hour and seven minutes.
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“I lost to him last week in Valencia but today I found my game. Today was a difference match. I was more aggressive and I am really happy with my intensity of the game,” Nagal told Tennis TourTalk.
“Conditions here are pretty similar compared to last week in Valencia. I like the balls here better. It’s my first time in Gran Canaria and it’s very nice here. I went to the dunes yesterday and it was really nice. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen more of the island yet but it’s tough to spend some time off the court during a tournament.”
The 26-year-old Jhajjar native, who started the year outside the Top 500 and is currently ranked World No. 140, will next take on Imanoel Lopez. The Spanish qualifier edged past his compatriot Javier Barranco Cosano 7-5, 6-4 after two hours and 11 minutes.
Krutykh battles past Molleker
In other action, Oleksii Krutykh recovered from a set and a break down to outlast No. 8 seed Rudolf Molleker of Germany 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Canary Island Court. In the first meeting between two good friends, the 23-year-old Ukrainian won five points more than his opponent to prevail after two hours and 25 minutes.
Krutykh will next face Swiss qualifier Kilian Feldbausch, who benefited from the retirement of local wild card entry Nicolas Alvarez Varona. The 18-year-old was leading 4-2 in the opening set when the Spaniard slipped on the court and was forced to stop playing due to injury.
