CIUTADELLA, MENORCA/STARNBERG, April 1, 2025
The ATP Challenger Tour has arrived in Menorca for the first time, as the island hosts the inaugural Open Menorca this week. Taking place at the historic Club Tennis Ciutadella from March 31 to April 6, the clay-court tournament marks a significant milestone for the region, bringing world-class tennis to Cala en Blanes.
Albert Ramos-Vinolas headlined Tuesday’s first-round action by knocking out World No. 103 and top seed Billy Harris from Great Britain 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. The 37-year-old Spaniard converted five of his 15 break-point chances to secure victory in two hours and 41 minutes.
Albert Ramos, @albertramos88, sigue adelante en el #OpenMenorca.
Tras anunciar su retirada a final de temporada, el catalán tumba al primer cabeza de serie, Billy Harris.
El jugador de Mataró muy agradecido con el apoyo del público menorquín.#atpchallenger #menorca pic.twitter.com/RBCj0YsAn2
— Open Menorca (@open_menorca) April 1, 2025
“It was a tough match,” Ramos-Vinolas said afterwards. “I think I started very well, but then Billy played really well, making very few mistakes. It was very difficult for me. Honestly, the match was tough, and thanks to the support of the crowd and my coach, I think I was able to pull through. But as you saw, it was a very even match.
On Sunday, the former top 20 star and four-time ATP Tour champion announced that he will retire from professional tennis at the end of the season. Asked about his goals until then, Ramos-Vinolas replied:
“Ever since I started my career, I have always tried to give my maximum effort and compete at 100% in every match. I don’t think this should be an exception. Yes, maybe I handle it a little better now, but when you’re on the court, in the end, what you want is to win. And I believe that from now until the end, I will continue on this path.”
At the Open Menorca, the Barcelona native will next take on his compatriot Pol Martin Tiffon, who outlasted German teenager Justin Engel 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in one hour and 52 minutes.
Ofner leads bottom half of the draw
In the bottom half of the draw, No. 2 seed Sebastian Ofner opened his title bid by benefiting from the retirement of Bulgarian Adrian Andreev. The 134th-ranked Austrian was leading 6-2, 2-0 when Andreev was forced to stop playing due to a right knee injury.
Up next for Ofner, who is competing in his only third tournament this season, will be either Swiss qualifier Kilian Feldbausch or Spaniard Javier Barranco Cosano.
Open Menorca – Tuesday Results
Singles – First Round
• A. Ramos-Viñolas (ESP) def. [1] B. Harris (GBR) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
• [WC] P. Cachín (ARG) def. [8] E. Butvilas (LTU) 6-2, 6-3
• [2] S. Ofner (AUT) def. A. Andreev (BUL) 6-2, 2-0 ret.
• [5] C. Taberner (ESP) def. D. Yevseyev (KAZ) 2-6, 6-4, 1-6
• [6] J. Choinski (GBR) def. O. Roca Batalla (ESP) 7-6(4), 7-5
• [7] V. Gaubas (LTU) def. H. Squire (GER) 6-0, 7-6(5)
• L. Neumayer (AUT) def. [WC] F. Virgili (ITA) 6-3, 6-4
• B. Hassan (LBN) def. N. Álvarez Varona (ESP) 7-6(1), 6-3
• P. Martín Tiffon (ESP) def. J. Engel (GER) 4-6, 6-3, 3-6
Doubles – First Round
• [WC] A. Vavassori / M. Vavassori (ITA) def. [1] Nedunchezhiyan / Prashanth (IND) 2-6, 0-6
• [2] Ingildsen (DEN) / Stevenson (GBR) def. Coppejans / Piros 6-2, 6-2
• Barnat / Duda (CZE) def. Vocel / Walkow (CZE/POL) 6-1, 6-4
• [3] Cukierman (ISR) / Paris (GBR) def. Chandrasekar / Vega Hernández (IND/ESP) 7-6(4), 5-7, 10-5
